Decision Report 201508185

Summary

Mr C complained that he was not appropriately assessed and treated during two separate attendances at the A&E department of the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. He also complained that he was inappropriately discharged on both occasions.

Mr C attended the A&E department having sustained a head injury and was assessed and admitted for a period of observation before being discharged. He presented again two days later reporting ongoing symptoms including vomiting and a worsening headache. He received a brain scan and spinal x-ray, both of which were normal. He was discharged with head injury and pain management advice.

We took independent advice from a consultant in emergency medicine who considered that the care Mr C received on both attendances was of a high standard and was consistent with national guidance on the early management of patients with a head injury. He considered that it was reasonable for Mr C to have been discharged on both occasions, noting that the tests had excluded the possibility of a significant injury to his brain. We did not uphold the complaint.