Clinical treatment in hospital : Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board

Mrs Y complained on behalf of her father, Mr X, that the Health Board delayed the following: conducting a scan of Mr X’s back and abdomen; testing for, and treating, Mr X’s urinary tract infection; and providing Mr X with a flu vaccine. She also complained that the Health Board inappropriately informed Mr X directly that he would be discharged to residential care and failed to provide him with a side room prior to his discharge, which delayed his discharge, owing to repeated contact with COVID-19 patients.

The investigation found that the Health Board’s actions regarding Mr X’s scan and the provision of his flu vaccine were reasonable. It also found that there was no detriment caused by the time taken to test Mr X’s urine and that no treatment was required. Furthermore, there was no requirement to provide Mr X with a side room because he did not fall within any of the priority categories. However, the Ombudsman upheld Mrs Y’s complaint that the Health Board inappropriately informed Mr X directly that he would be discharged to residential care.

The Health Board agreed to the Ombudsman’s recommendations to apologise to Mrs Y for the failure identified in this report and to implement Mental Capacity training for staff at the Hospital.