Investigation reports

Our investigation into a complaint about the care and treatment of a cancer patient has led to an apology to the complainant and a review of the issue of pain management on two wards in the Mater and Royal Victoria hospitals.

We upheld parts of a complaint about the management of the patient's pain relief, the hospital's communication with her family, the supply of her medication, and the decision to discharge her.

We found that although a patient’s CT scan was interpreted incorrectly by the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, it is likely that a correct reading would still have not prevented a brain haemorrhage he suffered four weeks later.

We found that a medical assessment performed during a home visit was carried out in line with good medical practice, but that the GP should have recorded what had been discussed with the patient and her family, and what they should do if her symptoms did not improve.

We investigated a complaint from a man who said that his mother should not have been sent from hospital back to her care home.  We found that her care was appropriate, but following our investigation the Trust agreed to review the way it documents patients returning to nursing homes or other care settings.

We recommended that a healthcare provider review its policies and improve staff training after we investigated the care it provided to a complainant’s elderly mother.

We recommended that the Hospice should review staff training on clear communication with patients and their carers, following our investigation into a complaint by the parents of a child in its care.

A complainant who believed that her mother was not fit to be discharged from hospital, and who said she should not have been sent home without medication, has had part of her complaint about the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust upheld.