Decision to discharge patient 'a failure in care and treatment': Investigation of a complaint against the Northern Health & Social Care Trust (Northern Ireland Public Services Ombudsman, 4 August 2025)

Summary

This report from the Northern Ireland Public Services Ombudsman relates to the care and treatment the Northern Health and Social Care Trust provided to the complainant’s father at Antrim Area Hospital. The patient presented to the emergency department following a GP referral and after completing investigative tests the Trust discharged him on the same day. The complainant was concerned with the Trust’s decision to discharge her father given his poor health. She believed the Trust should have admitted him for further treatment.

The ombudsman upheld their complaint. The investigation found the Trust did not act in accordance with relevant guidelines. It also identified that the decision to discharge the patient from the emergency back to his GP, with no further follow-up arranged, was a failure in his care and treatment.