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A man named Roy Owen from Selkirk, who was admitted to Borders General Hospital (BGH) in Melrose for palliative care in May 2023, was left in “unnecessary pain” according to the nursing staff at the hospital. Despite requiring 24-hour palliative care, the 79-year-old with prostate cancer felt neglected by the hospital’s medical team, who repeatedly denied him pain relief. The situation worsened when pleas from Mr. Owen’s wife, Ann, were also ignored, leaving the family distraught.
The Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO) conducted a thorough investigation into the matter, uncovering “serious clinical failings” that resulted in a “significant personal injustice to a vulnerable person.” As a result, NHS Borders was instructed to issue a full apology to Mr. Owen’s widow and ensure that all staff undergo comprehensive training in pain management to prevent such incidents from reoccurring.
During his 16-week stay at BGH, Mr. Owen experienced prolonged pain as ward staff only assessed his need for additional pain relief on two occasions. The SPSO’s report revealed multiple issues, including medication shortages, inadequate pain assessment intervals, and lapses in responding to complaints from Mr. Owen’s family. Despite efforts to address concerns about Mr. Owen’s pain management and nursing care, Mrs. Owen faced challenges in receiving a satisfactory response from hospital management, leading to further distress.
Mr. Owen, who moved to Selkirk over two decades ago, was an active member of the local community until his health deteriorated due to stage 4 prostate cancer spreading to his spine and lower limbs. Following outpatient treatments at various healthcare facilities, he was admitted to BGH for palliative care, where his pain management needs were inadequately addressed. The SPSO’s investigation highlighted deficiencies in documentation, nursing care, and complaint handling by NHS Borders, prompting the health authority to implement corrective measures and issue an official apology to Mr. Owen’s family for the substandard care provided.
Despite the challenges faced by the Owens and the failures in Mr. Owen’s care, NHS Borders has committed to improving its services to prevent similar incidents in the future. The health authority expressed regret over the impact on Mr. and Mrs. Owen and their family, acknowledging the need for systemic changes to uphold the standard of care expected for all patients. The acknowledgment of these deficiencies and the commitment to implementing corrective actions reflect a step towards ensuring better patient care and addressing issues raised by the SPSO investigation
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