We took independent advice from a consultant geriatrician (a doctor who specialises in medicine of the elderly) and from a nursing adviser.
In relation to the clinical care and treatment, we found that the clinical records evidenced that an appropriate assessment of Mr A was carried out and that reasonable efforts were made by clinical staff to treat Mr A's condition. We found that, overall, the clinical care and treatment given to Mr A was reasonable and we did not uphold this aspect of the complaint.
In relation to the nursing care and treatment given to Mr A, we found that the nursing records were of a reasonable standard and that they demonstrated that there had been a risk-based assessment of Mr A. There was also evidence of care planning related to the level of risk and ongoing documentation around delivery of daily care for Mr A. However, we found that the documentation around the injury to Mr A's foot could have been better and we drew this to the board's attention. On balance, we found that the nursing care and treatment was reasonable and did not uphold this aspect of the complaint.
Lastly, Miss C complained about the communication from the hospital with her and her family. We found that the clinical records demonstrated an appropriate level of communication and we did not uphold the complaint.
Related reading
View Decision Report 201802170 as a PDF (23.91 KB) Updated: October 23, 2019