Hywel Dda University Health Board

Mr C complained that Hywel Dda University Health Board (“the Health Board”) did not forward a referral to a specialist consultant following an appointment, which resulted in him waiting an additional 21 months for an assessment.

The Ombudsman decided that the Health Board had acted promptly to correct the error when Mr C raised the issue, but they had not responded to his request for financial redress. The Ombudsman decided to settle the complaint without an investigation.

The Ombudsman sought and gained the Health Board’s agreement to apologise to Mr C for not considering his request for financial redress and offer him a payment of £700 in recognition of the delay in processing the referral.