Summary
C complained about the care and treatment of A, who had a background of complex medical conditions, including a history of diabetes, heart disease, chronic kidney disease and cardiorenal syndrome (a chronic disorder and imbalance of the heart and kidney function).
A was admitted to hospital three times over the course of approximately eight weeks. A had surgery for a fractured hip. After surgery, A developed bilateral non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAION, a rare condition that causes sight loss). C complained about the medical and nursing care that A received.
We took independent advice from a consultant renal physician (a specialist in kidney conditions), a consultant ophthalmologist (a specialist in eye conditions) and a cardiac nurse (a nurse who specialises in heart conditions). We found that the board provided reasonable medical care to A over the course of their three admissions. Therefore, we did not uphold this part of the complaint.
We found that on one occasion, A was unreasonably recorded as being able to attend the toilet independently overnight, when A had an accident. In all other aspects, the board provided reasonable nursing care to A. Therefore, on balance, we did not uphold this part of the complaint.
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View Decision Report 202310591 as a PDF (24.41 KB) Updated: July 23, 2025