Admissions/discharge and transfer procedures : Hywel Dda University Health Board

Mr X complained about the level of hospital leave granted to him by his clincians, including in respect of the level of risk he presented to the general public while on that leave. Mr X also complained that the response to his complaint provided by the Health Board was inadequate and did not clearly explain why it had taken the decisions it had.

The Ombudsman found that the Health Board had failed to consider and respond to Mr X’s complaint in accordance with the Putting Things Right Scheme. Consequently, the Health Board agreed to, within 20 working days, apologise to Mr X for this failing, to agree the details of the complaint he wished to pursue and to, thereafter, investigate and respond to his complaint in accordance with the PTR Scheme. The Ombudsman considered this to represent an appropriate settlement and did not investigate.