Overview
The complainant (Mr C) raised a number of concerns about the prescription of antipsychotic drugs to his mother (Mrs A), failures in record-keeping and failures in communication by Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS Board (the Board) from late 2008 until February 2010.
Specific complaints and conclusions
The complaints which have been investigated are that the Board:
- (a) wrongly prescribed Mrs A with antipsychotic drugs from late 2008 to February 2010 (upheld);
- (b) failed to keep adequate medical records (upheld); and
- (c) failed to communicate properly with Mrs A's family (upheld).
Redress and recommendations
The Ombudsman recommends that the Board:
- (i) undertake an external peer review in Hospitals 1 and 2, on the implementation of the Adults with Incapacity Act and SIGN Guideline 86 for patients with dementia with particular reference to assessment of capacity within 72 hours of admission wherever practicable and report back to the Ombudsman on the findings;
- (ii) carry out an audit of their: record-keeping to ensure it is in accordance with the national guidelines with particular reference to care planning practice; practice relating to the storage of patients' medical records to ensure it accords with the Scottish Government Records Management: NHS Code of Practice (Scotland); and report back to the Ombudsman on the findings;
- (iii) develop a policy on meeting the communication needs of patients with dementia which includes having an identifiable and agreed relatives' communication or participation strategy as a core aspect of the care plan; and
- (iv) apologise to Mr C for the failures identified in this report.
The Board have accepted the recommendations and will act on them accordingly.