Miss W complained about the failure of the Health Board to provide physiotherapy for her mother Mrs X, during her admission to hospital, and to provide physiotherapy and other support following her discharge. Miss W believed that her mother had been discriminated against because of her disability (she suffered from multiple sclerosis – “MS”).
The Ombudsman found that Mrs X had regular physiotherapy sessions, tailored to her ability at the time, albeit they did not achieve what Mrs X hoped they would, namely to enable her to walk again. Although Mrs X’s disability, of necessity, affected the way in which professionals worked with her, they did not discriminate against her because of her disability. Ongoing physiotherapy following her discharge would not have been appropriate, and thus it was reasonable for no referral to be made. Appropriate assessments of Mrs X’s support needs were carried out, and arrangements made for a package of care and equipment for Mrs X on her discharge. The Ombudsman did not uphold the complaint.