Miss X complained that Hywel Dda University Health Board (“the Health Board”) failed to appropriately manage her varicose veins during her pregnancy. Miss X also complained that the Health Board’s handling and investigation of her complaint was inadequate.
After the Ombudsman had commenced his investigation the Health Board agreed to undertake the following in order to settle the complaint
a) Within 2 weeks, apologise and make a payment of £250 to Miss X in recognition of the complaint handling failures and distressed caused by this.
b) Offer Miss X an appointment with a Consultant Vascular Surgeon.
c) The Health Board will contact Miss X 2 weeks after her appointment with the Consultant Vascular Surgeon and offer her the opportunity to obtain an independent expert opinion from a vascular surgeon. If Miss X requests an independent opinion, the Health Board will discuss the choice of expert with her and submit the referral within 2 weeks. The independent expert report will be completed within 8 weeks and will:
i. Comment on Miss X’s concerns about the worsening of her varicose veins during pregnancy, and;
ii. Provide an opinion on the ongoing and future management of Miss X’s varicose veins.
d) On receipt of an expert report, the Health Board will agree a course of action with Miss X. The Health Board’s Clinical Lead and Clinical Director for the vascular service will review the expert report to ensure any report recommendations are achieved as soon as possible.
The Health Board will submit evidence of completion of all these actions to the Ombudsman.
The Ombudsman’s investigation was therefore discontinued as the Health Board’s action resolved the complaint.