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Case ref:201708281
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Date:April 2019
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Body:Tayside 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 about the treatment which she received at Ninewells Hospital. Mrs C had been receiving iloprost infusions (intravenous medication) for a number of years for her medical conditions which included Raynaud's disease (numbness in fingers or toes). However, the board had changed the criteria for iloprost infusions and advised Mrs C that the infusions would stop. Mrs C felt that this was unfair as the treatment had provided her with relief from her symptoms.
We took independent advice from a consultant physician and rheumatologist (a doctor who specialises in the diagnosis and treatment of rheumatism, arthritis, and other disorders of the joints, muscles, and ligaments). We found that the criteria followed by the board in relation to iloprost infusions was reasonable and that while Mrs C may have benefitted from the treatment, there was no clinical evidence that this was the case. We also found that the board had offered to refer Mrs C to another health board who would offer the treatment as a temporary measure. The board also suggested reasonable alternative treatment options and were continuing to do so. Therefore, we did not uphold the complaint.