Overview

The complainant (Miss C) raised a number of concerns about the care and treatment her mother (Mrs A) received in Stirling Royal Infirmary (the Hospital) between her admission on 7 May 2006 and her death on 28 May 2006.

Specific complaint and conclusion

The complaint which has been investigated is that Mrs A's care and treatment while a patient in the Hospital in May 2006 was inadequate (upheld).

Redress and recommendations

The Ombudsman recommends that Forth Valley NHS Board (the Board):

• (i) apologise to Miss C for the failures identified in this report;
• (ii) remind all their doctors of the importance of appropriate recording of working and differential diagnosis; and
• (iii) ensure that two of the consultant surgeons (identified in this report as Consultant 1 and Consultant 2) reflect on these events at their next annual review.

The Board have accepted the recommendations and will act on them accordingly.