Report Date

05/06/2022

Case Against

Hywel Dda University Health Board

Subject

Clinical treatment in hospital

Case Reference Number

202101075

Outcome

Not Upheld

On 27 January 2020 Mrs X was admitted at Withybush General Hospital with a heaviness in her chest, and she was diagnosed with an unstable angina. Two days later Mrs X was seen by a consultant cardiologist who noted her chest pain was relieved by nitrates. Mrs X was transferred to the Coronary Care Unit on 30 January. On 31 January it was planned that Mrs X had myocardial perfusion imaging (“MPS”). The Coronary Team at Morriston Hospital advised that Mrs X was treated for angina. On 3 February Mrs X’s ECG showed acute changes, the MPS was still planned. The next day, the Radiology Department declined Mrs X’s MPS as she had undergone the same test 6 months earlier. Mrs X was discharged on 5 February. Mrs X complained whether her treatment and her discharge were reasonable.

The Ombudsman found:
• Although Mrs X was not seen within 24 hours by a cardiologist and she should have been moved onto specialist ward earlier, there was no impact on her management and there were no beds available on the specialist ward.
• As Mrs X had the MPS 6 months earlier, it was reasonable that the procedure was not repeated.
• An angiogram was not indicated for Mrs X.
• Mrs X’s discharge was reasonable.
Accordingly, the complaint was not upheld.