Trust failed to adequately manage child's pain after appendix operation

Mr B's daughter, H, was taken to A&E in winter 2013 reporting episodes of vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain over the previous three days. H was given antibiotics for two days, but when her condition deteriorated a decision was taken to remove her appendix.

H experienced significant pain and discomfort after the operation. She was treated at the hospital for two more days before being transferred to another trust.

In December 2013 Mr B complained to the Trust about H's treatment and received a response in February 2014. Mr B put some follow-up questions to the Trust in May. The Trust responded in October, saying that it had no more information or explanations to give him.

What we found

We upheld parts of Mr B's complaint. We found no evidence of failings by the Trust in its treatment of H's appendicitis. The treatment was in line with established medical practice. We did, however, find failings in pain management.

The Trust failed to answer the further questions Mr B raised in May 2014 and its response was delayed. This caused considerable frustration to Mr B.

Putting it right

The Trust apologised to Mr B and H for the failings we identified. It paid £500 to H to recognise the pain she experienced as a result of its failings. It also paid £250 to Mr B for the frustration its poor complaint handling had caused. The Trust drew up plans to prevent these failings recurring.