Overview
The complainant (Mrs C) raised concerns regarding the Orthopaedic treatment she received at the Royal Alexandra Hospital (the Hospital) in the area of Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS Board (the Board). Mrs C sustained a fall on 16 June 2007 in which she fractured her tibia and fibula and upon admission to the Hospital, she was seen by an orthopaedic consultant who treated the fracture conservatively by placing Mrs C's leg in a cast. Mrs C complained about the fact that she was not treated operatively and about the standard of follow-up care she received in the Fracture Clinic.
Specific complaints and conclusions
The complaints which have been investigated are that:
- (a) the decision to treat Mrs C's fracture conservatively was inappropriate (not upheld); and
- (b) the standard of follow-up treatment was inappropriate (upheld).
Redress and recommendations
The Ombudsman recommends that the Board should:
- (i) apologise to Mrs C for the failings identified in this report;
- (ii) highlight the issues raised in this report to all relevant orthopaedic staff;
- (iii) remind clinical staff of the importance of documenting their discussions with consultants; and
- (iv) encourage consultants to consider taking a more proactive role in complex cases.
The Board have accepted the recommendations and will act on them accordingly.