Ms A complained on behalf of her husband, Mr A, about the assessment and treatment provided by Cardiff and Vale Health Board (“the Health Board”) for a laceration to his left wrist when he attended the University Hospital of Wales (“the Hospital”) Emergency Department on 24 August 2022.
The investigation found that Mr A did not receive appropriate treatment and assessment when he attended the Hospital. Accurate records were not kept of the treatment he received, and opportunities were missed for Mr A to be referred for more timely treatment of his injury. The use of a translation service was also not considered despite Mr A not speaking English as a first language. This complaint was therefore upheld.
The Health Board agreed to apologise to Mr and Ms A. It also agreed to remind the clinician that treated Mr A of the importance of keeping accurate records and to ensure that she is familiar with both the Health Board’s guidelines on treating hand injuries and the Health Board’s Interpretation and Translation Service Policy. In addition, it agreed to develop a policy on referrals for treatment for patients that live outside the Health Board area and to conclude a review of its Interpretation and Translation Service Policy and ensure that all relevant staff are aware of it.