Overview
The complainant (Mrs C) raised a number of concerns about the care and treatment of her 64-year-old husband (Mr C) on Ward 58, a high dependency unit in the Western General Hospital (the Hospital), Edinburgh. He had been transferred there on 1 August 2006 after several weeks on other wards in the Hospital and had a cardiac arrest there on 5 August 2006. Sadly, he died later that day in an intensive care unit of the Hospital.
Specific complaints and conclusions
The complaints which have been investigated are that:
- (a) Mr C’s care and treatment from 1 to 5 August 2006 on Ward 58 were below a reasonable standard (upheld); and
- (b) Lothian NHS Board (the Board)’s complaint handling time was not in accordance with the NHS Complaints Procedure (upheld).
Redress and recommendation
The Ombudsman recommends that the Board put in place rigorous measures to address each of the five shortcomings arising from the leaking central line.
The Board have accepted the recommendation and will act on it accordingly.