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Case ref:201501358
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Date:February 2016
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Body:Forth Valley NHS Board
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Sector:Health
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Outcome:Not upheld, no recommendations
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Subject:clinical treatment / diagnosis
Summary
Mrs C complained on behalf of her son (Mr A) who had been admitted to Forth Valley Royal Hospital with chronic liver disease. Mrs C said she believed the care and treatment provided to her son had been inadequate, highlighting poor dietary input as a particular concern. Mrs C also said the decision to discharge him had been inappropriate, as he had refused all treatment at home and died a few days later.
We took independent medical advice on Mr A's treatment and discharge. The adviser said that Mr A had been provided with all treatments short of a liver transplant. The advice noted that Mr A had been adamant that he wished to be discharged and that he was prepared to refuse to eat or drink in order to achieve this. Although it was arguable Mr A should have been made to discharge himself, he had been provided with follow-up care as an out-patient. Mr A had refused to engage with this treatment.
We found Mr A's care and treatment had been reasonable and that the decision to discharge him was also, on balance, reasonable.