Overview
The complainant (Mrs C) raised concerns about her husband's care and treatment at Dunoon General Hospital (Hospital 1) on 14 June 2006. She complained that medical staff did not consider a diagnosis of acute meningitis when they were considering her husband's diagnosis, and that his transfer to Inverclyde Royal Hospital (Hospital 2) was delayed. Following the decision to transfer her husband (Mr C), he became very unwell and, sadly, he died in Hospital 1 on 14 June 2006.
Specific complaints and conclusions
The complaints which have been investigated are that: (a) an alternative diagnosis of acute meningitis was not considered when a diagnosis of stroke was given to the family on Wednesday 14 June 2006 (not upheld); and (b) there was a delay by Hospital 1 in arranging Mr C's transfer to Hospital 2 on 14 June 2006 (not upheld).
Redress and recommendations
The Ombudsman recommends that Highland NHS Board (the Board):
- (i) ensure that the local redesign process currently being undertaken between the Board and the Scottish Ambulance Service covers the need for medical staff to have access to the most up-to-date details of inter-hospital transfer times and with all the relevant transportation matters clearly established at the time (of arranging the transfer); and
- (ii) review their acute unit transfers policy to take account of changing patterns of acute stroke management.
The Board have accepted the recommendations and will act on them accordingly.