Overview
The complainant (Mr C) raised concerns in relation to delays in diagnosing his late wife (Mrs C) with lung cancer, and specifically that an x-ray taken over five months before her eventual diagnosis had not been properly read. Mr C complained that this mis-led clinicians into dismissing lung cancer as a diagnosis, despite other serious, persistent symptoms.
Specific complaints and conclusions
The complaints which have been investigated are that the Board:
(a) unreasonably failed to properly read an x-ray taken in January 2012
(upheld); and
(b) unreasonably delayed in diagnosing Mrs C’s illness (upheld).
Redress and recommendations
The Ombudsman recommends that Fife NHS Board:
(i) arrange an external review of their radiology practice and procedures, in consultation with The Royal College of Radiologists, and provide evidence of this review to the SPSO;
(ii) highlight to all clinical staff the need to review x-rays as well as x-ray reports, when diagnosing patients; and
(iii) apologise to Mr C for the failings identified in this report.
Fife NHS Board have accepted the recommendations and will act on them accordingly.