NHS Highland apology over care of blood patient who died

A watchdog said the patient was "unreasonably discharged" from Caithness General

NHS Highland has apologised for failings in its care of a patient who died days after being "unreasonably discharged" from hospital.

The patient, who needed regular treatment for a blood condition, was taken to accident and emergency at Caithness General after falling ill.

They were discharged home on the same day, but days later were unwell again and died after being flown to Aberdeen.

A watchdog has upheld a complaint from the patient's family.

The Scottish Public Service Ombudsman (SPSO) said the patient was unreasonably discharged home from Caithness General in Wick as they should have been referred for emergency platelet treatment.

The patient, who has not been named, had required regular platelet treatment after being found to be severely anaemic and having a "very low" count of cells that helps blood to clot.

'Bleeding within skull'

About a month after the diagnosis, they fell ill and were taken to accident and emergency at Caithness General.

Two days later, the patient's family became concerned about their health and phoned a consultant haematologist - a specialist in diseases of the blood and bone marrow - for advice.

The consultant said the patient's GP should be contacted if there were concerns.

By the following morning, the patient had become "very unwell" and they were taken to Caithness General by ambulance.

The patient was found to have bleeding within the skull and was flown to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary that evening for platelet treatment.

Their condition continued to worsen and they died the next day.

NHS Highland said: "We accept the recommendations in full and will be writing to the family to apologise for the failings identified."