Mrs C complained on behalf of her husband, Mr A, about the neurological care and treatment he received from Cardiff and Vale University Health Board between March and June 2021. The following matters were investigated: a) Whether Mr A’s neurological treatment from March to June 2021 was appropriate. Specifically: · Whether more could have been done to avoid infection.
· Whether his external ventricular drainage shunt (“EVD” – a temporary measure method of draining fluid from in and around the brain and spinal cord) was changed sufficiently regularly.
· Whether a ventriculoperitoneal shunt (“VP” – a small plastic tube to help drain extra fluid from in and around the brain and spinal cord) should have been considered.
· If Von Willebrand disorder (an inherited condition where the blood does not clot properly) should have been considered.
b) Whether Mr A was well enough to be transferred to a different hospital on 28 June 2021.
The investigation found that the care and treatment provided to Mr A by the Health Board between March and June 2021 was clinically appropriate, as was the decision to transfer him to a different hospital on 28 June 2021. The Ombudsman did not uphold the complaints.