NHS Grampian Faces Backlash for Year-Long Delay in Urgent Surgery

NHS Grampian has come under fire for failing to meet a crucial 90-day deadline for an urgent hip replacement surgery, leaving a patient waiting for over a year. The Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO) revealed that the operation was delayed for a total of 15 months, only taking place following inquiries from the watchdog regarding the patient’s case.

The SPSO’s report, which upheld the complaint made by the patient’s sibling, highlighted the significant mobility challenges and difficulties in daily living that the patient faced during the prolonged wait. Initially, the sibling expressed concerns after a pre-assessment appointment, noting that there seemed to be no progress toward securing the surgery.

Following an independent assessment by a consultant orthopaedic surgeon, the SPSO determined that the procedure should have been classified as “urgent,” mandating that it be conducted within the stipulated 90-day period. The report expressed concern over the delay, stating, “We were concerned that the patient waited 15 months for their surgery and that the surgery only took place after intervention from this office.”

Despite NHS Grampian’s eventual apology for the delay, the SPSO criticized the reasons provided as “unreasonable.” The report also indicated that NHS Grampian has an agreement with another health board to perform hip operations, suggesting that the option to refer the patient elsewhere should have been explored.

In addition, the SPSO noted that NHS Grampian could have considered utilizing non-NHS options, which specialize in addressing staffing shortages due to absences. Such measures could have facilitated a more timely surgical intervention.

In response to the findings, the SPSO directed NHS Grampian to formally apologize to the patient for its shortcomings in care. The health board was also instructed to develop a “recovery plan” to prevent similar occurrences in the future. Furthermore, the SPSO urged NHS Grampian to “explore alternative pathways” for managing comparable cases, emphasizing the need for improved patient care and timely access to necessary medical procedures.

The situation raises critical questions about operational efficiency within the healthcare system and the urgent need for reforms to ensure that patients receive timely and appropriate care, particularly for urgent medical conditions.