Clinical treatment in hospital : Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board

Mr B complained that he was unhappy with the decision to discharge him from the Emergency Department. He said that the CCTV footage of his attendance was no longer available, and the Health Board’s investigation did not address comments made by a doctor.

The Ombudsman sought advice from a professional clinical adviser and found that Mr B should not have been discharged before being seen by the physiotherapy team, as recommended. The Ombudsman was also concerned that the CCTV footage was deleted after 30 days, despite the Health Board being aware that Mr B had submitted an allegation of assault. The Ombudsman found that nothing further could be achieved in respect of comments made by a doctor.

The Ombudsman sought and gained the Health Board’s agreement to apologise to Mr B for the decision to discharge him without being seen by the physiotherapy team, and for not retaining the CCTV footage of his attendance, within 20 working days.