Mrs C complained about the care and treatment her late mother, Mrs A, received from Swansea Bay University Health Board when she was admitted to Singleton Hospital between 11 May and 17 June 2022. The investigated considered whether:
a) Mrs A’s nutritional needs were met
b) the dosage of lorazepam prescribed during Mrs A’s admission was clinically appropriate
c) the continence care provided was of a reasonable standard, including whether laxatives were prescribed prior to Mrs A’s discharge
The Ombudsman’s investigation found that there were some failings in relation to Mrs A’s nutritional needs and continence care and upheld these aspect of Mrs C’s complaints. The investigation found no evidence that Mrs A was prescribed laxatives on discharge from the Hospital. The Ombudsman was satisfied with the Health Board’s explanation that the increase in Mrs A’s lorazepam dosage was appropriate because it was due to her confusion and agitation. We therefore did not uphold this aspect of her complaint. The Ombudsman was pleased to note the Health Board has already put measures in place to address the areas of poor care and documentation that have been identified. Had it not done so, these would have formed part of the recommendations.
The Ombudsman recommended that the Health Board apologise again to Mrs C for the failings identified by the investigation and provide evidence of the actions taken to address the documentary and clinical shortcomings to this office.
