NHS Lothian says sorry to knee patient

NHS Lothian has been ordered to apologise to a patient who was sent away from hospital without crutches, despite having broken her knee.

The woman, known only as Ms C, attended Edinburgh Royal Infirmary in May last year.

She was in severe pain, but the clinician at Little France's accident and emergency unit sent her away with the diagnosis of soft tissue damage.

After spending a week in agony, she attended a hospital in England where the proper diagnosis was made.

The Scottish Public Services Ombudsman has upheld her complaint that the care was "inadequate", and ordered the health board to adopt new measures in knee treatment.

Melanie Hornett, NHS Lothian's nurse director, said: "I would like to publicly apologise for the distress and discomfort caused following her care.

"A review of current pain management systems is also being carried out and the importance of timely administration has been reinforced.

"NHS Lothian takes all complaints seriously and has taken steps to ensure lessons have been learned."