Themes | Healthcare & Patient Safety | The Accountability Index

Inadequate Recognition of Treatment Harm

Failure to adequately recognize and categorize the severity of adverse impacts from specific medical treatments.

166 items 7 sources 1 inquiry

Strongest theme matches

Mixed across source types and ranked by classifier confidence plus text match strength.

Indicative ranking
Committee recommendation
64match
#1 - 11th Report – Cosmetic procedures
Women and Equalities Committee
The PIP implant scandal exposed failures that continue to affect women more than a decade later. Official assurances that PIP implants pose no health risks appear to be based on limited long-term research and underplay the mental health impacts on women of having a substandard product inside them. Many women report enduring physical and psychological harm, compounded by...
Matched on terms: harm, inadequate
PFD report
61match
Sultana Choudhury
Sep 2023 · East London
Failures included not diagnosing an obvious renal haemorrhage, administering VTE prophylaxis with active bleeding, and inadequate patient monitoring, leading to preventable deterioration.
Matched on terms: inadequate
PFD report
61match
Amber Walker
Oct 2025 · Dorset
Doctors are reluctant or presume others have discussed SUDEP with epilepsy patients, despite its critical importance. There's a lack of universal use of SUDEP checklists and inadequate medical training on the subject.
Matched on terms: inadequate
PFD report
57match
Peter Jeffrey
Nov 2013 · Eastern District of London
Hospital staff failed to consider alternative diagnoses or treatments, did not take cultures from an infected blister, and overlooked intravenous antibiotics after negative DVT scans.
Matched on terms: treatment
PFD report
57match
Pauline Taylor
Jul 2017 · West Yorkshire (West)
Emollient creams with paraffin pose an unrecognised fire hazard due to inadequate warnings and lack of awareness, alongside insufficient patient risk assessments.
Matched on terms: inadequate
PFD report
57match
Brian Jackson
Jul 2021 · Liverpool and Wirral
Delirium symptoms were missed due to reliance on a flawed CAM-ICU assessment tool, especially for certain presentations, risking suboptimal diagnosis and treatment for patients nationwide.
Matched on terms: treatment
PFD report
57match
Paz Ogbe-Millar
Feb 2024 · North London
Inadequate observation levels for mental health patients waiting in the Emergency Department create significant safety risks.
Matched on terms: inadequate
PFD report
57match
Orlando Davis
Apr 2024 · West Sussex, Brighton and Hove
Midwives lacked awareness of the risk of hyponatremia in birthing women, leading to inappropriate fluid management, inadequate monitoring, and subsequent severe brain injury to the baby.
Matched on terms: inadequate
PHSO casework decision
56match
P-003008 - Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Closed After Initial Enquiries
Mrs T complained the Trust didn't address cancer treatment side effects, continuing harmful medication, which led to permanent Parkinsonism and other complex health issues. She sought an investigation and financial remedy.
Matched on terms: harm, treatment
LGO / SPSO decision
55match
201606304 - A Medical Practice in the Lothian NHS Board area
SPSO (Scottish Public Services Ombudsman)
Mr C complained to us that the medical practice had failed to provide appropriate care and treatment to his son (Mr A). He said that a GP had prescribed oxycodone (opiate medication) over the phone to Mr A on the morning that he died from a medication overdose. Mr C was also concerned that there had been an...
Matched on terms: harm, treatment
PHSO casework decision
51match
P-002017 - University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
Partly Upheld
Mrs K complained about inadequate non-surgical treatment for wrist fractures, premature cast removal, ineffective physiotherapy, and incorrect recording of her fall details.
Matched on terms: inadequate, treatment
LGO / SPSO decision
50match
202309740 - Ayrshire and Arran NHS Board
SPSO (Scottish Public Services Ombudsman)
C complained about the care and treatment provided to their late parent (A) by the board. A, who was diabetic, had been diagnosed with conditions including Myasthenia Gravis (an autoimmune disorder causing muscle weakness). A was admitted to University Hospital Crosshouse (UHC) as an in-patient four times, initially with a diabetic foot ulcer. This deteriorated over the course...
Matched on terms: inadequate, treatment
PFD report
49match
Joshua Asprey
May 2023 · East Sussex
Inconsistency between Sertraline's patient leaflet and the British National Formulary regarding suicidal behaviour side effects risks medical practitioners being unaware of, or not discussing, this potential risk with patients.
Matched on classifier match
PFD report
49match
Katie Williams
Nov 2023 · Plymouth, Torbay and South Devon
The unexpected interaction of a specific medication with common overdose complications re-precipitated serotonin syndrome, highlighting a risk that other NHS organisations may not fully appreciate these medication interaction risks.
Matched on classifier match
PHSO casework decision
48match
P-001376 - Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Closed After Initial Enquiries
Mr O complained the Trust ruptured his wife's artery, failed to notice internal bleeding, and delayed treatment due to unstaffed theatres, contributing to her death.
Matched on terms: treatment
Committee recommendation
48match
#11 - 11th Report – Cosmetic procedures
Women and Equalities Committee
The Government should commission research to better understand the health impacts of breast implants, including their potential impacts on women with pre-existing auto-immune conditions. The research needs to be a mix of clinical research, including on the health impacts of siloxanes, and longitudinal, following a cohort of women over a period of time. Such studies are necessary to...
Matched on terms: treatment
Committee recommendation
48match
#3 - 11th Report – Cosmetic procedures
Women and Equalities Committee
Without mandatory participation in the Breast Implant Registry and the regular publication of outcome data, surgeons cannot provide patients with comprehensive risk information. This undermines the principle of informed consent. Many individuals feel inadequately informed before surgery and the absence of a cooling-off period further increases the risk of rushed decisions. As the PIP scandal demonstrates, a lack...
Matched on terms: inadequate
PHSO casework decision
48match
P-004395 - University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust
Not Upheld
Mr B complained about failures in hernia mesh removal, delayed diagnosis/treatment of infection, unnecessary STD tests, misdiagnosis, and psychiatric referral.
Matched on terms: treatment
PHSO casework decision
47match
P-003788 - Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust
Not Upheld
Ms A complained her son was inappropriately catheterised, suffered delayed UTI/sepsis diagnosis and treatment, and received inadequate physiotherapy, leading to his death.
Matched on terms: inadequate, treatment
LGO / SPSO decision
47match
201306220 - Highland NHS Board
SPSO (Scottish Public Services Ombudsman)
Mr C complained on behalf of Mr A. Mr C said Mr A suffered from spinal damage which had required an operation but his treatment at Raigmore Hospital had been significantly delayed following his referral as it was unreasonably downgraded from urgent to routine and because the board lacked surgical capacity. Mr C was concerned that Mr A...
Matched on terms: treatment
LGO / SPSO decision
47match
201602995 - Lothian NHS Board - Acute Division
SPSO (Scottish Public Services Ombudsman)
Mr C complained that his wife (Mrs A) was inappropriately diagnosed as having suffered a miscarriage and that she was not provided with appropriate and timely treatment. Mrs A was in the early stages of pregnancy when she experienced bleeding. During the night, Mr C and Mrs A attended the gynaecology out-of-hours service at the Royal Infirmary of...
Matched on terms: harm, treatment
PFD report
45match
Peter Clive Higson
Oct 2013 · Surrey
Concerns arose regarding the detrimental effect of platelet transfusions following stem cell transplants, questioning if such transfusions might sometimes be contraindicated.
Matched on classifier match
PFD report
45match
Susan Poore
Mar 2014 · Norfolk
Anti-depressant medication was associated with a deterioration in the patient's depression, leading to an uncharacteristic death, despite side-effect warnings.
Matched on classifier match
PFD report
45match
Mrs Care
Jun 2014 · Cornwall
Unexplained extensive bruising, likely caused during hospital care and potentially related to hoist use, contributed to the deceased's death, with no clear explanation provided.
Matched on classifier match
PFD report
45match
Barbara Harrison
Jul 2015 · Manchester (South)
Inappropriate physiotherapy contributed to surgical complications, and critical equipment failed during emergency surgery due to flat batteries, leading to a 'panic situation'. Family members were also distressed by public disclosure of a cardiac arrest.
Matched on classifier match
PFD report
45match
Lynn Poyser
Jul 2015 · South Lincolnshire
Existing guidance for co-prescribing Lisinopril and Spironolactone may not sufficiently highlight the risks of renal deterioration and hyperkalaemia, indicating a need for more caution and a holistic patient view.
Matched on classifier match
PFD report
45match
Thomas Pearson
Jul 2016 · South Yorkshire (East)
A patient was prescribed fluticasone, increasing pneumonia risk without benefit due to a non-raised eosinophil count. The coroner recommends reviewing inhaled steroid use in similar patient populations.
Matched on classifier match
PFD report
45match
James Kane
Jul 2016 · County Durham and Darlington
A patient died due to a drain, and a scan potentially could have reduced this risk, indicating a need for further consideration of policy changes regarding such procedures.
Matched on classifier match
PFD report
45match
Pamela Hands
Dec 2017 · Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly
A critical risk of respiratory depression in opioid-treated patients receiving nerve blocks was not widely recognised, and national monitoring guidelines were absent. This necessitates new guidelines and professional awareness.
Matched on classifier match
PFD report
45match
Carl Schmidt
Sep 2019 · West Yorkshire (East)
The chemo-radiotherapy in a clinical trial potentially exposes patients to neurological damage, requiring further investigation into the mechanism of injury.
Matched on classifier match
PFD report
45match
Alvin Black
Apr 2021 · Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
The report identifies concerns about the poor state of cleanliness at the prison's Health Care Centre, potentially increasing the risk of infection for prisoners; it also notes a missed opportunity to consider anti-coagulation therapy, with the system not picking up on this error.
Matched on classifier match
PFD report
45match
Marjorie Walker
Jun 2022 · Manchester South
A DNA CPR was not completed according to protocols, and significant delays affected access to specialist pain clinics. Furthermore, health professionals showed a lack of understanding regarding kidney function monitoring for pain medication like Gabapentin, increasing overdose risk.
Matched on classifier match
PFD report
45match
Brian Beer
Oct 2024 · Suffolk
NICE guidelines on post-hip fracture anti-coagulation may be outdated, potentially increasing the risk of arterial clots due to hypercoagulability after stopping VTE prophylaxis in elderly, immobile patients.
Matched on classifier match
PFD report
45match
Mary Pomeroy
Apr 2025 · Devon, Plymouth and Torbay
A hospital's investigation wrongly deemed a fatal patient-on-patient assault unforeseeable, despite ignoring prior violent incidents and failing to implement required enhanced observations for a high-risk patient.
Matched on classifier match
PFD report
45match
Raymond Moran
Feb 2026 · City of Kingston Upon Hull and the County of the East Riding of Yorkshire
The falls risk assessment was inaccurate, not updated, and documentation was incomplete.
Matched on classifier match
PHSO casework decision
44match
P-003037 - The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust
Closed After Initial Enquiries
The Trust ignored her concerns about an IV cannula not being properly in place during a CT scan, causing contrast dye leakage and burns. She also received inadequate information about her injury.
Matched on terms: inadequate
PHSO casework decision
44match
P-004439 - The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust
Closed After Initial Enquiries
A man complained about his mother-in-law's care, citing poor hygiene, inadequate investigation of deterioration, mistaken morphine administration, and unsuitable discharge.
Matched on terms: inadequate
PHSO casework decision
43match
P-003197 - Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Not Upheld
Mrs A alleged her father received inappropriate heart failure diuretic treatment despite deteriorating, leading to his premature death. She believed alternative care or hospital admission was needed.
Matched on terms: treatment
PHSO casework decision
43match
P-003310 - Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Not Upheld
Mr E complained clinicians inadequately investigated his father's condition, failed to treat a suspected blood infection, and discharged him inappropriately. He also alleged delays in cardiac testing.
Matched on terms: inadequate
LGO / SPSO decision
43match
21-017-330a - Rutland House (21 017 330a)
LGO (Local Government & Social Care Ombudsman)
Summary: Mrs B complained to the Ombudsmen that a Care Home provided inadequate care to her son. She complained this led to significant, life-changing consequences for him. We decided not to investigate Mrs B’s complaint. This is because it is unlikely we would reach meaningful, evidence-based findings that the Care Home’s actions caused Mr A a specific injustice.
Matched on terms: inadequate
LGO / SPSO decision
43match
201405374 - Tayside NHS Board
SPSO (Scottish Public Services Ombudsman)
Mrs C complained about her treatment at A&E at Ninewells Hospital. She told us that when she attended with a broken foot she was fitted with a moon boot (a removable cast) and told, since it was the weekend, she was to return home and wait for a phone call on Monday. Mrs C said that she was...
Matched on terms: treatment
LGO / SPSO decision
43match
201404527 - A Medical Practice in the Lothian NHS Board area
SPSO (Scottish Public Services Ombudsman)
Mrs A had fallen at home and sustained a head injury and suspected fractured hip. She had contacted the medical practice and a GP attended and decided that she required to be taken to hospital. The GP arranged that an ambulance should attend within an hour and left Mrs A with a neighbour to wait for the ambulance....
Matched on terms: treatment
LGO / SPSO decision
43match
201306304 - Lothian NHS Board
SPSO (Scottish Public Services Ombudsman)
Ms C complained about the care provided to her when she was admitted to the Western General Hospital (the hospital). Ms C, who lives within another board area, was visiting Edinburgh when she became ill with abdominal pain, severe constipation, and vomiting. She attended the A&E department of another hospital in the board's area and was transferred to...
Matched on terms: treatment
LGO / SPSO decision
42match
202501264 - Grampian NHS Board
SPSO (Scottish Public Services Ombudsman)
C complained about the care and treatment that their spouse (A) received from the board during admissions to Dr Gray’s Hospital (Hospital A) and Aberdeen Royal Infirmary (Hospital B). A was admitted following episodes of vomiting blood and received treatment for gastric varices (enlarged blood vessels in the stomach lining). C complained that the board did not investigate...
Matched on terms: treatment
PHSO casework decision
39match
P-004726 - Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Partly Upheld
Miss O complained about inadequate pain management after her hysterectomy, including insufficient pain relief, no morphine driver, and a lack of prompt doctor review, leading to severe pain for hours.
Matched on terms: inadequate
PHSO casework decision
39match
P-001068 - Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust
Partly Upheld
Mrs L complained that A&E staff failed to share information about a suspected 'old fracture', misdiagnosed her back injury, gave incorrect advice to mobilise, and provided inadequate pain relief.
Matched on terms: inadequate
PHSO casework decision
39match
P-001076 - University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Not Upheld
Dr I complained about inadequate postnatal care for his wife and daughter, citing delayed doctor attendance, insufficient pain relief, missed clinical follow-ups, inappropriate antibiotics, and unsafe discharge planning.
Matched on terms: inadequate
PHSO casework decision
39match
P-001273 - The Queen Elizabeth Hospital King's Lynn NHS Foundation Trust
Closed After Initial Enquiries
Mrs U complained the Trust failed to diagnose osteomyelitis, provided inadequate wound care, and discharged her mother without sufficient antibiotics or pain relief. She believed these failings contributed to her mother's death.
Matched on terms: inadequate
PHSO casework decision
39match
P-001892 - Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
Not Upheld
Mr C complained King's College Hospital failed to diagnose his wife's perforated oesophagus. Guy's and St Thomas' then failed to provide timely or appropriate treatment.
Matched on terms: treatment
LGO / SPSO decision
39match
201406639 - Forth Valley NHS Board
SPSO (Scottish Public Services Ombudsman)
Mr C complained that the prison health centre failed to provide appropriate treatment for the injury to his knee. After injuring his knee, Mr C attended the health centre and was prescribed pain medication. Mr C saw the doctor again a few days later because of the pain in his knee and also because the pain medication had...
Matched on terms: treatment
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