Decision Report 201607856

Summary

Ms A had a miscarriage and she felt that her appointment for a surgical evacuation of the uterus (SEU) (a procedure sometimes carried out after a miscarriage to ensure that the uterus is fully evacuated and to prevent infection) at Royal Alexandra Hospital was unreasonably delayed, which she felt put her at increased risk of infection or haemorrhage. Ms A also complained that the board had unreasonably failed to provide her with information about support groups and counselling in relation to miscarriage and that the board had unreasonably failed to provide her with details of her scan results when she elected to pursue private treatment at another hospital for the SEU.

We took independent advice from a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist. We found that earlier treatment would have been desirable to minimise psychological distress to Ms A, but that the time she waited for the SEU was within the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines. We found that it was likely that the first available appointment was offered to Ms A, and that there was no reason to think that Ms A was at risk of infection or haemorrhage because of the wait. We concluded that the actions of the board were not unreasonable and we did not uphold the complaint.

The adviser noted that there was evidence in the medical records that Ms A had declined information about counselling and support organisations. We did not uphold this complaint.

The adviser said that it was evident from the medical records that the consultant obstetrician had refused to provide information about Ms A's scan results when she requested this information to help with pursuing private treatment for the SEU. Although the still images that were available would not have been helpful for staff at the private hospital, the adviser said that the board could have provided Ms A with copies of scan results or a handwritten letter with little inconvenience. We upheld this aspect of the complaint.

Recommendations

What we asked the organisation to do in this case:

• Apologise for failing to provide Ms A with information about her scan results when she decided to pursue private health care.

We have asked the organisation to provide us with evidence that they have implemented the recommendations we have made on this case by the deadline we set.