Clinical treatment outside hospital; GP : Swansea Bay University Health Board

Mr A’s complained about care and treatment that his late wife received from a GP Practice in the area of Swansea Bay University Health Board (“the Practice”) in October 2021. Specifically, Mr A complained that his wife should have been admitted to hospital following consultations with a GP between 25 October 2021 and 29 October 2021, and whether the GP may have missed the symptoms of sepsis which might have given his wife a better chance of survival.

The Ombudsman found that the care and treatment provided by the Practice was clinically appropriate at each of the consultations during the period, with suitable examinations undertaken. She noted that the timing of the consultations and the changes in the provision of healthcare as a result of the global blood collection tube shortage at the end of 2021 was likely to have been an important factor in the GP’s decision making, which was considered to be within the range of appropriate clinical practice.

Mr A’s complaint about the GP Practice was therefore not upheld.