Ms C complained about the care and treatment provided to her late mother-in-law, Ms D, when she was investigated and admitted to hospital for suspected lymphoma (a type of blood cancer).
The Ombudsman investigated:
a) Whether the lymphoma diagnosis should have been reached sooner.
b) Whether there were additional investigations or treatments, relating to the suspected lymphoma, which should have been considered.
c) Whether the treatment given for HLH (Haemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis) was in line with clinical guidelines.
The Ombudsman found that the treatment had been of a good standard and there were no additional investigations or treatments which should have been considered. Complaints b) and c) were not upheld.
The Ombudsman found that there was a delay in transferring Ms D for specialist haematology care due to bed availability. This delayed haematology investigations and a possible diagnosis by up to a week. Whilst the Ombudsman was satisfied that this would not have altered the clinical outcome, the additional stress and uncertainty for the family during this period of delayed transfer was an injustice. Complaint a) was therefore upheld to that extent.
The Ombudsman recommended that the Health Board should provide an apology to Ms C and review its procedures to enable patients awaiting ward/hospital transfer to access more prompt specialist opinion and progress diagnostic tests/imaging.