Ms A complained about the standard of care provided to her late mother, Mrs B, when she was admitted to the Emergency Department (“ED”) of Wrexham Maelor Hospital. Mrs B sadly died in the evening of the day she was discharged. The investigation considered whether during Mrs B’s 16-hour admission: • her presenting symptoms of stomach pain, vomiting and dehydration were clinically assessed and treated appropriately • she was well enough to be discharged.
The Health Board had previously acknowledged and apologised for shortcomings in the standard of care provided to Mrs B, including delays in providing intravenous fluids and “corridor care” in the ED. The Ombudsman considered only the matters detailed above about the clinical assessment and the decision to discharge Mrs B. Based on clinical advice, the Ombudsman concluded that both the clinical assessment and the decision to discharge Mrs B were appropriate. The Ombudsman did not uphold the complaint.