Mr C complained about the care and treatment he received from the Health Board who outsourced care provision to a private clinic (“the Clinic”). The investigation considered whether the standard of care provided to Mr C, which commenced in January 2023, for treatment of his cataract (when the lens in the eye develops a cloudy patch) was clinically appropriate.
The Ombudsman found that the operation undertaken on5 January and the subsequent procedures, care and treatment were clinically appropriate. However, the risk of posterior-capsule rupture (“PCR” – a break/tear in the posterior lens capsule)as a recognised complication was not explained to Mr C either during the pre-operative assessment appointment or on the day of surgery. This failure was unreasonable and caused an injustice to Mr C, given that he consented to the surgery without being fully informed, and then experienced a PCR during his surgery. The failure to explain this risk was not recognised as part of the Health Board or Clinic’s complaint handling. The Ombudsman therefore upheld this complaint.
The Health Board agreed to the Ombudsman recommendations to apologise to Mr C for the failings identified; offer him £1000 for the injustice caused and for the time and trouble in pursuing the complaint, and to review the documentation provided to patients by all private clinics where ophthalmic treatment is outsourced, to ensure adequate risk information, including PCR, is provided and discussed prior to surgery