Recommendations
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In view of the failings identified and the injustice and hardship caused to Miss S and her family, and in line with the Principles for Remedy, we make the following recommendations.
We recommend specifically that HCW:
- Reimburses Mrs S and Miss S for the money paid for Miss S’s private treatment, together with the interest they would have received had the money remained in their accounts.
- Reviews its administrative and procedural arrangements to ensure that Welsh patients who become ill while outside Wales are not placed at a disadvantage.
- Reminds the members of its independent patient commissioning panel that they need to take into account all relevant factors when making decisions.
- Makes clear to referring clinicians the criteria for funding to be approved, and ensures that they are contacted promptly to explain if they have failed to address any relevant points in the criteria.
We recommend specifically that the Trust:
- Carries out an urgent review, in conjunction with the relevant local health boards, of the provision for the treatment of patients with eating disorders in its area.
We recommend that all three bodies:
- Apologise to Miss S and Mrs S for the failings identified in this report.
- Each pay Miss S the sum of £250 in recognition of the distress she has been caused.
- Each pay Mrs S the sum of £250 in recognition of the distress she has been caused and the time and trouble involved in pursuing this complaint.
Specific additional recommendations of the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales
I further recommend that the Welsh Assembly Government gives consideration to carrying out a Wales-wide review of the adequacy of provision for the treatment of eating disorders in Wales, both from an out-patient and in-patient point of view (bearing in mind the lack of in-patient treatment facilities in Wales and HCW’s comments above that in-patient care is often compromised by inadequate out-patient arrangements post-discharge).
The authorities concerned have seen a draft of this report and agreed to implement the recommendations listed above.
Peter Tyndall
Public Services Ombudsman for Wales
Ann Abraham
Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman
7 July 2009
Report Reference Numbers:
200701085 (Welsh Assembly Government)
200701674 (Cardiff & Vale NHS Trust)
200800010 (Plymouth PCT)
