Overview
The complainant, Mr C, complained that treatment received by his late wife, Mrs C, was inadequate and that staff failed to diagnose that she was suffering from melanoma.
Specific complaint and conclusion
The complaint which has been investigated is that the treatment Mrs C received from 2004 was inadequate and staff failed to diagnose that Mrs C was suffering from melanoma (partially upheld).
Redress and recommendations
The Ombudsman recommends that the Board:
- (i) review their procedures, in line with the findings of this report, for the carrying out of biopsies on patients diagnosed with cancer and having a similar history to that of Mrs C;
- (ii) consider the findings of this report in relation to removing complaints from the NHS Complaints Procedure and consider subsequently reinstating them if dealing with future complaints resulting from similar circumstances; and
- (iii) write to Mr C with an apology for the distress caused by the failings identified in this report.
The Board have accepted the recommendations and will act on them accordingly.