Overview
The complainant, Ms C, raised a number of concerns about the care and treatment that her late father (Mr A) received at Crosshouse Hospital Kilmarnock (the Hospital), in the area of Ayrshire and Arran NHS Board (the Board). Ms C considered that poor standards of care had led to Mr A's premature death.
Specific complaint and conclusion
The complaint which has been investigated is that the care and treatment which Mr A received at the Hospital was inadequate and brought about his death prematurely (I upheld the complaint that the care and treatment were inadequate. However, I did not find that poor standards of care had led to Mr A's premature death).
Redress and recommendations
The Ombudsman recommends that the Board:
- (i) provide the Ombudsman's office with a specimen copy of the new in-patient admissions booklet;
- (ii) provide the Ombudsman's office with a report on the findings of the audit of the Abbreviated Mental Test section of the patient medical admission form;
- (iii) remind staff of the importance of fully completing all significant documentation, paying particular attention to the omissions identified in this report;
- (iv) reflect on the comments of the specialist Advisers in paragraphs 15 and 22 of this report; and
- (v) issue an apology to Ms C and her family for the failings identified in this report.
The Board have accepted the recommendations and will act on them accordingly.