WREXHAM Maelor Hospital failed a cancer patient who was denied potentially curative surgery, an Ombudsman report has found. 

An investigation was launched after Mrs B complained about the care and treatment her husband, Mr B, received from Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.

In April 2022, Mr B went to the Emergency Department at Wrexham Maelor Hospital with urinary retention.

The Ombudsman found that, while there were elements of Mr B’s care that were clinically appropriate, including the treatment he received when he attended the Emergency Department in April 2022, Mr B had been denied potentially curative surgery.

The decision not to offer surgery was based on the view his prostate cancer had spread, yet, there was uncertainty about whether this was the case.

As a result, the Ombudsman concluded that he should have been offered surgery.

Mr B should have had the opportunity to discuss his complex investigation results and treatment plan with a senior clinician.

The Ombudsman also found that Mr B’s treatment fell significantly outside the suspected cancer pathway target time of 62 days from suspicion of cancer to treatment.

Mr B chose to have a biopsy done privately due to the unacceptable delay in the Health Board being able to undertake this procedure.

Finally, the Ombudsman’s investigation revealed failings in the Health Board’s complaint handling of this case.

Michelle Morris, Public Services Ombudsman for Wales, said: “It is of real concern to me that this is the third time my office is highlighting concerns about the Health Board’s delivery of treatment for prostate cancer over recent years.

"Whilst my report notes the ongoing actions outlined by the Health Board, it is concerning that the urology service provision, in particular in relation to prostate cancer, continues to be a problem for the Health Board.

"My predecessor received assurance from the Health Board that it was “grasping the nettle”. However, the similarity of the concerns in this complaint raises questions about whether the Health Board’s actions have been effective in improving the service.

"I urge the Health Board to fully commit to change and improvement so people do not have cause to approach my office again with similar concerns.”

The Ombudsman recommended that Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board should apologise to Mr and Mrs B and pay them £6,850 to reimburse costs they incurred, for the injustice caused to Mr B and in recognition of the time and trouble Mrs B had to go to making the complaint.

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Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board has accepted the Ombudsman’s findings and conclusions and has agreed to implement these recommendations.

Carol Shillabeer, Chief Executive for Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, said: “I apologise unreservedly to Mr and Mrs B, on behalf of the Health Board, for the failures identified in Mr B’s care, we fell short of the standard that should be expected. We are sending a direct letter of apology to Mr and Mrs B, and we wish to assure them that we are committed to learn from their experience. 

“The Ombudsman has noted a number of areas for improvement and we have accepted her findings in full. We have made significant progress in some areas that the report has recommended, and we are taking key steps to address the issues as part of our efforts to improve services.”