Failure to diagnose - ombudsman response

Did they give any justification for why they believed the treatment was acceptable?

What is the name of the Ombudsman body so we can look up if they are truly independent?

Hi

Thank you

Some of the responses as follows

First, you were unhappy with the Health Board’s CMHS treatment of Mr x
Within your complaint to the Ombudsman, you listed that there had been poor
clinical judgement, with the Health Board failing to recognise symptoms consistent
with autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. I have very carefully
considered the Health Board’s investigation report, dated 17 July 2023. Within the
report, the Health Board explained that Mr X had received several
assessments from mental health nurses, consultant psychiatrists and psychologists,
which all indicated a similar theme of mixed depression/anxiety and atypical
personality traits. The investigation report later indicated that Mr X was
discussed by a multi-disciplinary team which concluded that no mental illness was
present. The Health Board advised that a formal diagnosis would be best carried
out by the specialist team, to which Mr X can self-refer.
Based on the information that I have seen, I do not consider that there has been
poor clinical judgement from the Health Board, and its approach appears to have
been consistent, with several different professionals reaching similar conclusions.
Though I accept that you have obtained a private diagnosis for Mr X, this does
not mean that there has been any service failure identified in the Health Board’s
actions.

Also they cannot investigate anything that occured over 12 months previous. 

I dont think this has been addressed well enough or thorough enough, based on what i raised, but i will leave it for now, as i dont want to get overwhelmed with it. They said there is a limit to what they can do. 

Public services Ombudsman 

Hi

Thank you

Some of the responses as follows

First, you were unhappy with the Health Board’s CMHS treatment of Mr x
Within your complaint to the Ombudsman, you listed that there had been poor
clinical judgement, with the Health Board failing to recognise symptoms consistent
with autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. I have very carefully
considered the Health Board’s investigation report, dated 17 July 2023. Within the
report, the Health Board explained that Mr X had received several
assessments from mental health nurses, consultant psychiatrists and psychologists,
which all indicated a similar theme of mixed depression/anxiety and atypical
personality traits. The investigation report later indicated that Mr X was
discussed by a multi-disciplinary team which concluded that no mental illness was
present. The Health Board advised that a formal diagnosis would be best carried
out by the specialist team, to which Mr X can self-refer.
Based on the information that I have seen, I do not consider that there has been
poor clinical judgement from the Health Board, and its approach appears to have
been consistent, with several different professionals reaching similar conclusions.
Though I accept that you have obtained a private diagnosis for Mr X, this does
not mean that there has been any service failure identified in the Health Board’s
actions.

Also they cannot investigate anything that occured over 12 months previous. 

I dont think this has been addressed well enough or thorough enough, based on what i raised, but i will leave it for now, as i dont want to get overwhelmed with it. They said there is a limit to what they can do. 

Public services Ombudsman 

Yes your right. There is a specialist team to which you can self refer to. It is seperate to the CMHT..We did not know about this team until this year.  We had no idea that we were autistic. He now has his diagnosis completed privately. The CMHT do also have psychiatrists who are able to assess and diagnose. 

Tulip52 said:

The Health Board advised that a formal diagnosis would be best carried
out by the specialist team, to which Mr X can self-refer

doesnt this bit say he can actually self refer himself to a assessment? 

or am i missing something here.... this to me tells me they are giving permission for him to self refer to their specialist team....

I think your right. So we continue to raise awareness, now that we know. Can you imagine the flood gates opening if they concluded that this was poor clinical judgment and failure to diagnose. But i not about money, although in my opinion missing the diagnosis of autism is costing the NHS more money, in repeated visits, appointments, consultations, prescription drugs etc. Thanks for your thougs  and sharing 

Tulip52 said:

Mr X had received several
assessments from mental health nurses, consultant psychiatrists and psychologists,
which all indicated a similar theme of mixed depression/anxiety and atypical
personality traits.

I think this is unfortunately still a common issue with the NHS that they lack experience in diagnosing autism so will go with what they see as a more conventional explanation.

Look at the symptom and that becomes the condition. You are anxious so you must have general anxiety disorder. You don't have other signs of a mental health illness so it must be this.

The ombudsman are probably protecting the NHS and partners from legal cases by accepting the lack of knowledge and experience is going to be here for a long time to come, so no point losing the health service badly needed money by approving a negligence claim or additional health care accommodation.

At the end of the day it is Joe Pubic that loses out, but with the NHS and ombudsman all under government control I don't see them being allowed to cause too much friction.