Mrs J fell ill while on holiday and was taken to hospital. She told staff that she had a cyst (a type of tumour that is not usually cancerous) on one of her ovaries, which might be causing the problem.
Mrs J had a scan of her abdomen, but it did not show the cause of her symptoms. The Trust gave her painkillers and, as her condition seemed to be improving, it discharged her. It said she could follow up her treatment closer to home. Mrs J returned home. Further investigations showed that the cyst on her ovary had twisted and that she needed an operation.
Mrs J complained to the Trust. She said it should not have discharged her when it did not know what the problem was. The Trust said it had carried out appropriate investigations and Mrs J seemed well enough to go home for any further treatment.
What we found
Mrs J's symptoms and history suggested that the cyst on her ovary was a likely cause of her illness. When the scan of her abdomen did not show anything, the Trust should have investigated further. In particular it should have arranged for Mrs J to see a gynaecologist. The Trust's response to Mrs J's complaint also seemed to maintain, unreasonably, that she did not have a cyst.
If the Trust had diagnosed Mrs J appropriately, it might still have been reasonable to refer her to a hospital nearer her home for the operation she needed. Mrs J's care was much as it would have been if the Trust had done this. Although the Trust made mistakes, these had not significantly affected the care she received. For that reason we partly upheld Mrs J's complaint.
Putting it right
The Trust acknowledged that it had given Mrs J a poor standard of care, and that she did have a cyst, which had caused her illness. It apologised to her for the distress and frustration she experienced as a result if its failings.
Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust
Plymouth
Apology