Ms C complained that Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board had failed to refer her for a surgical assessment, leaving her experiencing pain for longer than was necessary.
The Ombudsman decided that although the Health Board had accepted and apologised for the error, it could not assess whether the error had caused harm until the surgical assessment was completed. The Ombudsman decided to settle the complaint without an investigation.
The Ombudsman sought and gained the Health Board’s agreement to provide Ms C with a further response to her complaint within 2 months of her surgical assessment appointment.