Non-medical services : Velindre University NHS Trust

Mr X complained that after his late wife’s discharge from hospital, he noticed that her wedding ring had been lost. Mr X further complained that the Trust’s policies and procedures were not followed in keeping his wife’s wedding ring safe and, instead of securing it in a safe, it was left on the bedside cabinet.

The Ombudsman is not able to decide whether the Health Board is liable for Mr X’s late wife’s wedding ring. However, the Ombudsman identified that there was further action which the Trust could take.

The Ombudsman contacted the Trust and it agreed to complete the following actions by 10 October 2022 in settlement of the complaint:

remind relevant staff of its policies and procedures relating to patient property and to write to Mr X and ask him to liaise with it about a reasonable offer of compensation.