NHS TAYSIDE’S care of a patient fell below a reasonable standard, an investigation has found.
The woman, identified only as Mrs C, complained to the Scottish public services ombudsman after a procedure to remove a gallstone left her with a perforated bowel.
She claimed the risk of this happening had not been explained to her.
NHS Tayside said the procedure had been appropriate as not removing the gallstone could have led to Mrs C suffering jaundice and inflammation of the pancreas and bile ducts.
The ombudsman said: “Our medical adviser said that, while junior medical staff did consider at an early stage the possibility that there had been a perforation, aspects of Mrs C’s after-care fell below a reasonable standard.
“This was because there was no senior doctor accountable for Mrs C’s care after the procedure, and no clear supervision of the junior medical staff who were reviewing her.”
The investigation also found the leaflet Mrs C had been given before she underwent the procedure did not give specific information about the risks involved.
“There was no clear record made of any discussions the medical staff had with Mrs C either before or after the complication was identified,” the report said.
The ombudsman has asked NHS Tayside to apologise to the woman, ensure there is clear guidance for consultants about the supervision of patients by junior colleagues and consider reviewing patient information leaflets and consent forms.