NHS Ayrshire and Arran ordered to apologise after patient died after fall following hip surgery

A health board has been ordered to apologise after a patient died after falling and hitting their head following hip surgery.

An investigation by the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO) found there were a number of failings in NHS Ayrshire and Arran’s care of the patient.

The patient was admitted to hospital for hip surgery after a fall at their home.

A few weeks later, the patient fell and hit their head, which led to a brain injury. The patient died as a result.

The patient’s child complained that nursing staff had failed to properly supervise their parent, resulting in a fall and their eventual death.

The Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO) upheld the complaint, and it found that the care and treatment provided to the patient was “unreasonable”.

After taking independent advice from an elderly care consultant and an experienced nurse, the SPSO identified a lack of oversight and a failure to carry out “timely” interventions when the patient’s condition deteriorated.

Additionally, the ombudsman said the health board should have completed a thorough investigation (SAER) since the patient had suffered harm and death as a result of a fall.

“We considered that while these measures may not have ultimately prevented [the patient’s] fall, there was unreasonable care,” the watchdog said.

“We found that [their] post-fall care fell well below a reasonable level and did not meet the standards described in the board’s head injury protocol.”

In a statement, NHS Ayrshire and Arran nursing director, Jennifer Wilson, said: “We extend our sincere condolences to the family of [the patient] and are deeply sorry that their experience did not reflect the high standards of care we aim to deliver in NHS Ayrshire & Arran.

“The Board accepts in full the findings and recommendations of the SPSO and has offered a formal apology to the family.

“Work is already under way to address each of the recommendations, and we are committed to ensuring that the lessons from this report are shared across our organisation.”