Clinical treatment outside hospital; GP : A GP Practice in the area of Aneurin Bevan University Health Board

Mrs X complained about the standard of care and treatment provided to her late husband, Mr X, after he tested positive for COVID-19. Specifically, she complained that opportunities to treat him, as a vulnerable patient, with antiviral medication were missed. Mrs X was concerned that he should not have been initially discharged from the Grange University Hospital and that additional treatment should have been given to him for COVID-19. She complained that he was prescribed antibiotics by the GP following a telephone consultation as opposed being seen by the GP. When Mr X was later admitted to the University Hospital of Wales with COVID-19 symptoms, Mrs X felt that the provision of antiviral treatment was delayed.

The Ombudsman found that the decision to discharge Mr X from the Grange University Hospital was reasonable as Mr X had not required any specific hospital treatment for COVID-19 at that point. His condition had not met the national criteria for prescribing antiviral medication. On admission to the University Hospital of Wales, Mr X’s condition had deteriorated, and he was assessed as needing the antiviral treatment. This was prescribed within an appropriate timescale. The prescribing of antibiotics by the GP was appropriate as it was based on a detailed history and telephone assessment of Mr X’s presenting symptoms. The Ombudsman found no failings in the care provided and did not uphold the complaints.