Mrs E complained that the Trust failed to implement an appropriate care plan for a heart condition, or adequately monitor her, for more than two years. She complained that, as a consequence, the Trust failed to identify a number of serious medical conditions that she was suffering from. She said that this denied her the opportunity to have elective surgery and, instead, she became unexpectedly unwell and needed emergency surgery.
What happened
In late 2009 Mrs E's GP referred her to the Trust's cardiology department because of a significant family history of aortic aneurysm. Mrs E had several tests and staff referred her to a clinical genetics service. She had more tests in early 2011 and early 2012 and had a 24‑hour blood pressure monitor in the middle of 2012.
In late 2012 Mrs E suffered an ascending aortic aneurysm, a swelling in the wall of an artery. She needed emergency surgery the following day.
What we found
The Trust monitored Mrs E reasonably and did not miss any clear signs that could have helped to prevent her emergency surgery.
However, the Trust should have reported the test results more comprehensively. Staff should have given Mrs E lifestyle advice and offered her more face‑to‑face appointments with a consultant. While we could not link these failings to Mrs E's distressing experience, she would have felt better if she could have asked more questions.
Putting it right
We did not make any formal recommendations to the Trust. However, we highlighted the shortcomings we had found and asked it to consider them carefully.
Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust
Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust
Greater Manchester
Came to an unsound decision
Did not apologise properly or do enough to put things right
Not applicable