Overview
The complainant (Mrs C) raised a number of concerns about the care which her diabetic husband (Mr C) had received when he attended the Western Isles Hospital (Hospital 1) with serious foot ischaemia. Mrs C complained about a consultant’s (Consultant 1) behaviour, the delay in referring Mr C to the Consultant Vascular Surgeon (Consultant 2) and that unsuitable medication was prescribed to her husband.
Specific complaints and conclusions
The complaints which have been investigated are that:
- (a) Consultant 1's behaviour was inappropriate when he explained the results of his examination to Mr and Mrs C (no finding);
- (b) Consultant 1 delayed writing to Consultant 2 after seeing Mr C (not upheld);
- (c) Consultant 1 did not reflect the urgency of Mr C's condition in his referral to Consultant 2 (upheld); and
- (d) Consultant 1 prescribed Voltarol to Mr C and this is not suitable for diabetics (not upheld).
Redress and recommendations
The Ombudsman recommends that the Board:
- (i) review its procedures for urgent referrals; and
- (ii) apologise to Mr and Mrs C for their failure to adequately convey the urgency of Mr C's condition in their letter of referral.
The Board have accepted the recommendations and will act on them accordingly.