The investigation into Mrs A’s complaint centred on whether her late son, Mr B, had received appropriate and timely care, diagnosis and treatment in relation to his liver failure, including consideration of referral for a liver transplant. In addition, whether the support and treatment offered by Ysbyty Gwynedd’s inpatient Alcohol Liaison (ALN) team and the community-based Substance Misuse Service (SMS) was appropriate and timely.
Mrs A’s complaints were not upheld. The Ombudsman’s investigation found that Mr B had received appropriate and timely care during his admissions including around the diagnosis and treatment of his liver failure. The investigation concluded that Mr B’s alcohol usage meant that he would not have been a candidate for a liver transplant under the relevant guidance. Even setting this aside, Mr B’s physical health, smoking habit and the fact that he was severely overweight would have meant that a liver transplant was not a possibility for him.
The investigation also concluded that the support and treatment that Mr B received from both the ALN team involved in his care and the SMS was also appropriate and timely.