Ms A complained about the standard of care provided to her late father, Mr B, when he was admitted to hospital in February 2024 due to swallowing issues. The Ombudsman’s investigation considered whether, during Mr B’s inpatient stay on an ENT ward, appropriate medical care and interventions were provided in a timely manner.
The Ombudsman found that the medical care, and the Gastroenterology investigations and procedures which were carried out, were all reasonable to address Mr B’s clinical presentation and symptoms. There was a delay in the initial Gastroenterology review, and the subsequent transfer to a Gastroenterology ward. However, the Ombudsman found that this did not affect Mr B’s medical management, the treatment options that were open to him, or the outcome of that treatment. The complaint was therefore not upheld.