Overview
The complainant (Miss C) raised a number of issues about the service she received from Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS Board (the Board) during 2004. Miss C was admitted to Princess Royal Maternity Hospital on 11 June 2004 to undergo a feticide procedure on medical advice.
Specific complaints and conclusions
The complaints which have been investigated are that the Board unreasonably:
- failed to explain Miss C's rights to request a private burial or cremation (upheld);
- failed to show, or explain, the cremation forms prior to asking Miss C to sign them (upheld);
- asked Miss C to sign the cremation forms when she was sedated and prior to the delivery (upheld); and
- failed to provide an accurate explanation, when responding to Miss C's complaint, for the inconsistencies in the dates on the cremation forms (upheld).
Redress and recommendations
The Ombudsman recommends that the Board:
- apologise to Miss C for the failings identified in this complaint;
- ensure that staff attending patients after a fetal loss follow the guidance notes;
- report back to the Ombudsman on how they will ensure that the options for disposal of remains will be published to parents, so that they are aware of the choices that are available to them;
- report back to the Ombudsman on steps they intend to take to ensure that any form to be completed by a patient after a fetal loss is fully explained to the patient, at a time when they are fully able to understand any explanation given;
- report back to the Ombudsman on steps they intend to take to ensure that patients, following a fetal loss, are not being asked to give consent while they lack the capacity to fully understand and recall what they are signing; and
- formally apologise for the inconsistencies provided in relation to the dates on the cremation forms.
The Board have accepted the recommendations and will act on them accordingly.