Although a trust gave satisfactory care, its response to a complaint was delayed and inaccurate

Summary 505 |

Mrs M complained that her son (Mr M) was not fit for discharge when the Trust sent him home from hospital. Mrs M also complained that there were inaccuracies in the Trust's response to her complaint, and delays in complaint handling.


What happened

Mr M had liver disease. He went into hospital after he had two seizures. Staff sent him home a few days later, but he went back into hospital the same day.

His condition deteriorated and he died two weeks later.

What we found

We partly upheld this complaint. The Trust's decision to discharge Mr M was clinically appropriate. However, it was slow to respond to Mrs M's complaint and some of its responses were inaccurate.

Putting it right

The Trust apologised to Mrs M. It drew up an action plan to address its failings in complaint handling.

Health or Parliamentary
Health
Organisations we investigated

North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust

Location

Greater London

Complainants' concerns ?

Replied with inaccurate or incomplete information

Result

Apology

Recommendation to learn lessons or draw up an action plan