Case summaries

These short, anonymised stories show the profound impact that failures in public services can have on the lives of individuals and their families.

Please note we have not published any new case summaries on this page since 2015. In April 2021 we began publishing our casework decision statements and investigation reports on our decisions portal.

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Delay in removing stent increased risk of complications and caused patient distress

Summary 324 | July 2014

Mr A had acute pancreatitis (a condition where the pancreas becomes permanently damaged through inflammation) and was admitted to hospital.

Trust did not properly consider rights of person with disabilities

Summary 323 | July 2014

Mr A complained that some aspects of the Trust's care and treatment of his late daughter, B, were inadequate and that staff did not consider sufficiently her needs as a person with learning disabilities and a visual impairment. He also complained about the way the Trust handled his complaint.

Delay in neurology review did not lead to serious failings in patient's care

Summary 322 | July 2014

Mr K went into hospital in spring 2012 after he collapsed and suffered sudden stomach pain. He stayed in hospital for over two weeks.

Poor communication by hospital

Summary 321 | July 2014

Mr H wanted the Trust to accept that there had been failings in his mother–in–law's care.

Medical centre missed opportunities to treat patient who later died from problems associated with blood poisoning

Summary 320 | July 2014

A medical centre, which was run by a group of GPs, failed to adequately manage Ms D's care. She later developed cellulitis (a bacterial skin infection) and died of multiorgan failure associated with septicaemia (blood poisoning caused by the spread of infection).

Dental practice should have considered whether to waive time limit for complaint

Summary 319 | July 2014

Mr L complained that the practice's decision not to investigate his complaint (because it had been made outside the time limit) was unfair and unreasonable.

NHS England appropriately followed national guidance when it decided continuing care funding

Summary 318 | July 2014

NHS England upheld a decision that the NHS was not responsible for funding ongoing care.

Trust did not respond appropriately to father's concerns about his child

Summary 317 | July 2014

Mr R complained that the Trust did not respond to his concerns that his daughter, Q's, tumour was expanding. He says that this meant that surgery to remove the tumour was delayed so that Q had to have radical surgery.

GP delayed recalling patient for follow-up investigation

Summary 316 | July 2014

Mrs C complained about the GP's delay in taking further action after a blood test showed that she needed further investigation for a possible heart problem.

Treatment delayed by Trust's failure to diagnose

Summary 315 | July 2014

Mrs A was concerned about a delay in the diagnosis of her anal fistula, which left her with untreatable slight anal incontinence.