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Decision Report 202310591

  • Case ref:
    202310591
  • Date:
    July 2025
  • Body:
    Grampian NHS Board
  • Sector:
    Health
  • Outcome:
    Not upheld, no recommendations
  • Subject:
    Clinical treatment / diagnosis

Summary

C complained about the care and treatment of A, who had a background of complex medical conditions, including a history of diabetes, heart disease, chronic kidney disease and cardiorenal syndrome (a chronic disorder and imbalance of the heart and kidney function).

A was admitted to hospital three times over the course of approximately eight weeks. A had surgery for a fractured hip. After surgery, A developed bilateral non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAION, a rare condition that causes sight loss). C complained about the medical and nursing care that A received.

We took independent advice from a consultant renal physician (a specialist in kidney conditions), a consultant ophthalmologist (a specialist in eye conditions) and a cardiac nurse (a nurse who specialises in heart conditions). We found that the board provided reasonable medical care to A over the course of their three admissions. Therefore, we did not uphold this part of the complaint.

We found that on one occasion, A was unreasonably recorded as being able to attend the toilet independently overnight, when A had an accident. In all other aspects, the board provided reasonable nursing care to A. Therefore, on balance, we did not uphold this part of the complaint.

Updated: July 23, 2025