Mr S complained that podiatrists did not identify his wife's circulation problems and refer her to a vascular consultant quickly enough. He also complained that his wife did not get appropriate care when she was admitted to hospital with a dying foot.
What happened
Mrs S was under the care of podiatrists at Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Trust for a foot ulcer. Her foot symptoms worsened, and eventually the podiatrists referred her to the acute hospital to see a vascular doctor.
A few months later, Mrs S was admitted to the acute hospital (Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust) with a dying foot and was told she would need to have her leg amputated. She was not fit for surgery immediately and needed treatment to get her prepared so that she had a better chance of surviving the operation. The surgeons got her better prepared for the surgery she needed, but Mrs S developed pneumonia and died before it could be done. Mr S complained that there was a delay in referring his wife to the acute hospital and that this may have ultimately resulted in her death.
What we found
The podiatrists should have identified Mrs S's circulation problems sooner than they did.
The delay was a failing in the podiatry service, but it did not result in Mrs S's death. This is because her circulation problem would have been as bad as it was when it was eventually discovered, even if it had been discovered some weeks sooner.
When she was admitted to hospital with a dying foot, surgeons treated her appropriately.
Putting it right
We made no recommendations for improvements because we were satisfied that the action the podiatry department had taken before the complaint came to us was adequate.
Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Trust
Derbyshire
Not applicable
Not applicable