Admissions/discharge and transfer procedures : Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board

Mr N questioned the appropriateness of his grandfather, Mr X’s, discharge home on 8 June 2020, and whether it was clinically safe to do so. Mr X sadly died 2 days later.

The Ombudsman’s investigation found that the discharge process was undertaken appropriately and that its complexity was reflected in the time it took to arrange, and that a multidisciplinary team meeting was arranged to bring together all those involved. There was no evidence in the days before discharge which indicated that Mr X was suffering from a lower respiratory infection, or that his health was so poor that he would die 48 hours after discharge.

The complaint was not upheld.