Source · PSOW (Public Services Ombudsman for Wales)

Swansea Bay University Health Board

PSOW (Public Services Ombudsman for Wales) Not Upheld Reference PSOW-202507493 Sector Health Category Clinical treatment in hospital Decided 28 July 2026

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Original decision on the PSOW (Public Services Ombudsman for Wales) website ↗

Full decision

Mr A complained that he had suffered injury resulting from the detachment of a hydration cannula during cataract surgery on his eye in 2024.

The Health Board accepted that he had suffered damage to his eye needing additional surgery and treatment, but that this was not the result of any failing in care.

Mr A referred his case to the Ombudsman, who obtained clinical advice on the complaint. The adviser noted that even where the hydration cannula is properly attached and checked prior to surgery, it can unfortunately still detach, on rare and unpredictable occasions, under the high pressure during the surgery. The Ombudsman did not find evidence of any shortcomings by staff prior to or during the procedure, and did not uphold the complaint.

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