Mr L complained that his mother, Mrs L, had a fall in hospital due to a lack of supervision. He also complained that staff failed to diagnose the resulting fracture in a timely manner and this caused additional suffering and damage. Furthermore, Mr L complained that his mother was transferred in a taxi rather than an ambulance.
What happened
Mrs L was admitted to hospital and, around two weeks after her admission, fell early one morning. She was seen by a doctor early in the morning and mid-morning and again in the evening and, on each occasion, the plan was to provide pain relief and review her again if her pain continued.
In the early hours of the following morning, Mrs L was seen by a doctor again and a decision was made to transfer her to A&E so that she could have an X-ray. Mrs L was transferred by taxi and an X-ray revealed that she had a fractured neck of femur.
What we found
The Trust completed appropriate risk assessments and could not have predicted or prevented Mrs L's fall. However, following clinical advice, we found that the medical staff should have had a higher level of suspicion about a fracture and she should have been transferred for an X-ray after the mid-morning review. Mrs L should not have been transferred in a taxi.
This caused Mrs L avoidable short-term pain and distress.
Putting it right
The Trust acknowledged and apologised for the failings we identified in relation to the delayed transfer for an X-ray following Mrs L's fall. It also acknowledged that Mrs L should not have been transferred in a taxi and apologised for this. It paid Mrs L £250 in recognition of the short-term distress and pain she experienced.
South Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
Essex
Did not apologise properly or do enough to put things right
Did not take sufficient steps to improve service
Apology
Compensation for non-financial loss