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Selected Investigations Completed December 2000March 2001 > Part I, Case no. E.1598/99-00
Complaint against: Taunton and Somerset NHS Trust
Summary of case
Mrs P complained that, at a weekend in December 1997, she was admitted to hospital with a detached retina needing urgent treatment, but that a surgeon delayed carrying out the necessary repair. She also complained that at subsequent out-patient appointments he failed to diagnose a further problem. The Ombudsman noted that the surgeon’s workload in providing specialist out of hours cover was onerous, but concluded that the decision about the timing of the surgery was reasonable. The Ombudsman also found that although no note had been made in the medical records about one of the subsequent appointments, there was sufficient evidence to conclude that the diagnosis of, and actions in response to, the later problem were timely. Neither complaint was upheld, although the Trust agreed to review the surgeon’s responsibilities and relevant medical staffing levels, and to remind staff of the need to make accurate and comprehensive records.
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