Office closure 

We will be closed on Monday 5 May 2025 for the public holiday.  You can still submit complaints via our online form but we will not respond until we reopen.

New Customer Service Standards

We have updated our Customer Service Standards and are looking for feedback from customers. Please fill out our survey here by 12 May 2025: https://forms.office.com/e/ZDpjibqe8r 

Decision Report 201803163

  • Case ref:
    201803163
  • Date:
    March 2019
  • Body:
    Lothian NHS Board - Acute Division
  • Sector:
    Health
  • Outcome:
    Not upheld, no recommendations
  • Subject:
    clinical treatment / diagnosis

Summary

Mrs C complained that the board unreasonably delayed in diagnosing secondary breast cancer. Following treatment for breast cancer, Mrs C underwent annual check-ups with a consultant surgeon where she complained of a lump and pain near her reconstructed breast (a breast that has been reshaped following a mastectomy (breast removal)). Mrs C said that these reports were not appropriately investigated.

We took independent advice from a specialist in breast cancer. We found that investigations were carried out when Mrs C first reported a lump near the reconstruction and that relevant guidelines did not recommend routine mammography (x-ray of the breast) of the reconstructed site and associated axilla (underarm). We considered that the board had practised within the national recommendations and Mrs C was followed up and examined regularly. We also found that when Mrs C presented with a new lump it was investigated and treated in a timely manner. We found that the standard of medical care was reasonable and there had not been an unreasonable delay in diagnosing the recurring cancer. We did not uphold the complaint.

Updated: March 20, 2019