Health : Aneurin Bevan University Health Board

Ms X complained about the decision to assess her father, Mr X, under the Mental Health Act and the way in which it was conducted. She also complained about the failure to identify that Mr X’s hearing aids were missing upon admission to hospital. Finally, she complained about some of the medication he was prescribed during his admission and also about some symptoms which developed while he was in hospital.

The Ombudsman was satisfied that the decision to assess Mr X was appropriate and was undertaken adequately. However, the Ombudsman was concerned that the issue of Mr X’s hearing aids had not been properly addressed nor had Ms X’s concerns about how he developed additional health problems in hospital.

The Health Board agreed, within 20 working days, to write to Ms X to apologise for failing to identify the missing hearing aids, explain how it would prevent a reoccurrence and provide a further explanation in relation to his medication and health problems while in hospital. The Ombudsman considered this to be an appropriate resolution and did not investigate.