Overview
The complainant (Mr C) raised a number of concerns in respect of the treatment provided to his wife by a consultant surgeon (Consultant 1) prior to her death on 11 April 2005. Additionally, he has stated that both he and his wife were not given a clear picture of her condition and the options for treatment available to her.
Specific complaints and conclusions
The complaints which have been investigated are that:
- (a) Consultant 1 did not fully consider the surgical options, including seeking opinions of specialists where necessary (not upheld); and
- (b) the communication from Consultant 1 was unacceptable (upheld).
Redress and recommendations
The Ombudsman recommends that Highland NHS Board (the Board):
- (i) apologise to Mr C for the failure to effectively communicate with both him and his wife;
- (ii) consider using the events of this complaint to inform practise in communicating with patients, particularly when a number of different specialists are involved in care. This consideration should include both communication with patients and family and the recording of such communication in the clinical records; and
- (iii) review their procedures to ensure that all responses provided by them, or on their behalf, to complainants are factually accurate.
The Board have accepted the recommendations and will act on them accordingly.