Source · SPSO (Scottish Public Services Ombudsman)

A Medical Practice in the Orkney NHS Board area

SPSO (Scottish Public Services Ombudsman) Not Upheld Reference 201808182 Sector Health Category clinical treatment / diagnosis Decided 01 October 2020

Full decision

Summary

C complained about the care and treatment their late relative (A) received at the practice. A sought advice from the practice after returning home from a holiday abroad where they had become unwell. C's complaint related to a number of issues; including communication, medication, and scans.

We took independent advice from a GP. We found that there were no failings by the medical practice in terms of communication with the family or the time taken to perform scans. In relation to the management of A's medication, we found that the responsibility of stopping and restarting medication lay with the hospital clinicians. We also found that there were many reasons for A's balance and mobility issues, thus, a head scan was not indicated. We concluded that the care and treatment provided by the medical practice was of a reasonable standard. Therefore, we did not uphold this complaint.

C also complained about the practice's handling of their complaint. We found that the medical practice had provided their response to C's complaint to the health board within three weeks of them receiving the complaint and in line with the agreement to issue a coordinated response. However, there was a delay in the health board issuing the response to C for which they apologised for. We concluded that there was no fault by the medical practice and, therefore, we did not uphold the complaint.

Related reading

View Decision Report 201808182 as a PDF (24.35 KB) Updated: October 21, 2020

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Other decisions involving A Medical Practice in the Orkney NHS Bo…

Reference Date Summary Outcome
201605263 01 Sep 2017 Ms C, who works for an advocacy and support agency, complained on behalf of her client (Mrs A). Mrs A … Not Upheld
201604388 01 Mar 2017 Mr C complained that a GP at the medical practice failed to refer him to hospital for a specialist opinion … Not Upheld
201602166 01 Jan 2017 Ms C, who works for an advocacy and support agency, complained on behalf of her client (Miss A). Ms C … Upheld
201602169 01 Jan 2017 Ms C, who works for an advocacy and support agency, complained on behalf of her client (Miss A). Ms C … Upheld
201300654 01 Oct 2014 Mr C complained about the care and treatment provided to his late mother (Mrs A) by her medical practice over … Partly Upheld
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