Overview
The complainant (Mrs C) raised a number of concerns about the care and treatment of her father (Mr A) during the final months of his life while he was a patient of Ayrshire and Arran NHS Board (the Board). She was particularly concerned with the administration of drugs to her father and the palliative care he received.
Specific complaints and conclusions
The complaints which have been investigated are that:
- (a) the Board's administration of Amisulpride to Mr A was not appropriate (not upheld); and
- (b) the Board did not provide adequate palliative care to Mr A (upheld).
Redress and recommendations
The Ombudsman recommends that the Board apologise to Mr A's family for the inadequacy of the palliative care afforded to Mr A to the extent that the use of syringe drivers would have been a more appropriate method of pain management than fentanyl patches.
The Board have accepted the recommendations and will act on them accordingly.