NHS Highland urged to help patients make 'informed decisions' after complaint is upheld
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NHS Highland have been told to help patients make "informed decisions" after the Scottish Public Service Ombudsman (SPSO) upheld a complaint against the health board.
SPSO made the decision after a woman claimed that she was operated on without being given information about all the options that should have been available to her for her treatment.
The woman who asked to remain anonymous is referred to as C in documents published by the SPSO.
A spokeswoman for the SPSO said: "C was referred to a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist – who specialises in the medicine of the female genital
tract and its disorders – regarding a skin lesion they had on their vulva.
"At the first appointment, the consultant removed the lesion under local anaesthetic.
"C complained to the board that the consultant decided to remove the lesion without properly examining it, that proper anaesthesia was not applied, and the consultant and nurse demonstrated a lack of preparedness."
She continued: "The board provided assurances that the consultant did examine the lesion and proceeded with the procedure after discussing the options with C. Additional anaesthesia was applied when C said they could feel the incision."
After taking independent clinical advice and reviewing medical records, the spokeswoman continued: "We found that the consultant failed to offer a third treatment option which was to have a smaller biopsy taken for the purpose of making a formal diagnosis and arranging a full excision at a later date.
"This may or may not have been the best choice, however it would have allowed C to make a more informed decision. There was no evidence to suggest C was not examined properly and we noted the consultant did apply further anaesthesia when C reported feeling pain.
"Overall, we concluded the General Medical Council principles of decision-making and consent were not fully met and as such the care and treatment provided was unreasonable. We upheld the complaint."
The SPSO recommended that NHS Highland should consider using leaflets to supplement the verbal information given to the patient at the time of biopsy with clear instruction on what to expect and how to obtain advice after going home.
The spokeswoman added: "We have asked the organisation to provide us with evidence that they have implemented the recommendations we have made on this case by the deadline we set."
A spokesman for NHS Highland said: "We have fully accepted the recommendations in the report from the SPSO and actions are being implemented."
