Overview
The complainant (Ms C) suffered shoulder pain following a fall at home on 3 January 2006. She attended Accident and Emergency (A&E) at Ninewells Hospital. Examination of her shoulder revealed no new injuries and she was allowed to return home on the basis that a pre-existing frozen shoulder was the root cause. Ms C said that she continued to experience a great deal of pain despite ongoing treatment for her frozen shoulder. An x-ray in May 2006 showed that she had fractured her humerus. Ms C complained that an x-ray should have been taken during her A&E attendance on 3 January 2006. She felt that failure to take an x-ray prolonged her pain and delayed the operation that she required to repair her humerus.
Specific complaints and conclusions
The complaints which have been investigated are that Tayside NHS Board:
- (a) failed to properly diagnose and treat Ms C's painful shoulder (not upheld); and
- (b) failed to provide emergency treatment to Ms C upon her arrival at A&E (not upheld).
Redress and recommendations
The Ombudsman has no recommendations to make.