Mr A complained about the Health Board’s response to 3 GP referrals for back, hip and side pain since 2019 and the wait to by seen by the Pain Management Team. Mr A further complained about the Health Board’s handling of his complaint.
The Ombudsman found that although Mr A had now been seen in the Pain Management Clinic, the injection provided was for his back only. The Health Board had not adequately investigated or addressed all the issues that Mr A had been referred for. Mr A had been discharged from the service and advised to see his GP for another referral to be made, which would inevitably result in further waiting time. The Ombudsman found that, following extensive correspondence with Mr A, the Health Board had responded to some of Mr A’s concerns. However, it had only addressed the two most recent referrals made by his GP, which did not provide an accurate picture of the position or his overall experience.
The Ombudsman decided to settle Mr A’s complaint without investigation. The Health Board agreed to within 6 weeks reconsider whether a new referral from Mr A’s GP was required and to provide Mr A with a further complaint response.