SPSO (Scottish Public Services Ombudsman) Not Upheld

A Medical Practice in the Lothian NHS Board area

201600674 · Health › clinical treatment / diagnosis · Decision date: 01 November 2016

Full Decision

Summary

Mr C complained that the medical practice unreasonably failed to offer his son (Mr A) a referral for varicose vein surgery. Mr C was concerned that this was affecting Mr A's mental health. He was of the view that the practice were refusing to refer him for surgery because of Mr A's mental health problems.

We took independent clinical advice. We found that the practice had carried out a proper examination of Mr A and had noted that his varicose vein was not causing him discomfort. As a result of this, the practice were correct in following the board's guidance on the treatment of varicose veins which said that in instances such as this, varicose veins should be treated conservatively and surgical referrals should not be made. As a result, we did not uphold Mr C's complaint.

Related reading

View Decision Report 201600674 as a PDF (10.96 KB) Updated: March 13, 2018