Overview
The complainant (Miss C) had a number of concerns about the care and treatment given to her late mother (Mrs A) at Ayr Hospital (the Hospital). In particular, she felt that the Hospital had not correctly dealt with problems Mrs A had had with her legs and had failed to provide Mrs A with treatment in the days prior to her death. Miss C was also concerned that medical records recorded a conversation between herself and a consultant which she said could not have happened on the date given.
Specific complaints and conclusions
The complaints which have been investigated are that:
- (a) the care and treatment provided to Mrs A was not appropriate (partially upheld); and
- (b) information recording a conversation in the medical records was inaccurate (not upheld).
Redress and recommendations
The Ombudsman recommends that the Board apologise to Miss C for the failure to appropriately assess Mrs A's needs following the decision to end active treatment and for failing to ensure all relevant notes were made available to the Ombudsman's office during the initial investigation of this complaint.
The Board have accepted the recommendations and will act on them accordingly.