Clinical treatment in hospital : Hywel Dda University Health Board

Mrs A complained about missed opportunities to diagnose her late husband, Mr A’s cancer, whilst attending Withybush General Hospital on a number of occasions from 26 April 2021 to 12 May 2021. In particular, Mrs A complained that Mr A was discharged from the Emergency Department in the early hours of 11 May 2021 having been told his presenting symptoms had been treated and that blood test results were fine. However, on 12 May 2021, concerns with the same blood test results lead to Mr A’s readmission hospital where he was diagnosed with metastatic cancer on that same day.

Mrs A sought a meeting with the Health Board to discuss the findings in its complaint investigation report and although the Health Board had taken preliminary steps to arrange such a meeting, the process had stalled. The Health Board agreed to expedite meeting arrangements to discuss Mrs A’s concerns within 20 workings days and to, thereafter, issue to her further written response within 20 working days of the meeting. The Ombudsman considered this to represent an appropriate outcome and did not investigate.