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Selected Investigations Completed April - September 1999 > Part I, Case no. E.681/97-98
Complaint against: The former Radcliffe Infirmary NHS Trust, Oxford
Summary of case
In September 1996 Mr W had an operation at the Radcliffe Infirmary to remove a brain tumour. He subsequently developed a chest infection. On 27 September he was transferred to another hospital, where he collapsed with pneumonia and was given antibiotics. Mr W's brother-in-law, Dr Y, and some other members of the family considered that Trust staff at the Radcliffe Infirmary failed to diagnose his condition correctly, or to give him appropriate treatment.
Findings
The Ombudsman found that Trust staff were aware of Mr W's condition—appropriate diagnostic tests were performed including x-rays and the analysis of sputum samples. The Ombudsman agreed with his independent professional assessors that there was no evidence of a failure to diagnose Mr W's chest problems. Priority had then been given to clearing secretions from Mr W's respiratory tract. This was done by means of physiotherapy, encouraging Mr W to cough and suction. He also underwent a mini-tracheostomy. The Ombudsman agreed with his assessors that the treatment given was appropriate. He noted that Dr Y had focussed on the fact that post operative antibiotics had been stopped and not recommenced, but he also noted his assessors' views that those decisions had been entirely in accord with best microbiological practice for Mr W's chest infection. Neither aspect of the complaint was upheld, but the Ombudsman found that, with the benefit of hindsight, it might have been wiser to have delayed Mr W's transfer to the other hospital.
Remedy
The Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust, which now manages the Radcliffe Infirmary, agreed to ensure that the clinical condition of patients being transferred from their care is assessed fully, and that details of their conditions and treatment are included in discharge letters.
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