Watchdog upholds waiting time complaint

A patient, identified only as Mr C, was referred in August 2008 for surgery on a lump in his groin.

He saw a consultant in November and then a colorectal surgeon in February the following year, but was not offered a date for the operation until July - almost five months later.

He was told his "guaranteed date" for surgery was September 18, but this was later postponed until October 20.

Scotland's public services ombudsman, Jim Martin, agreed with Mr C that there had been an "unacceptable delay" between referral for surgery and being offered an appointment and that the board failed to provide a clear and consistent explanation for the delay.

Mr Martin recommended that NHS Lothian should apologise to Mr C for these failures - and also the failure to adhere to the date that he was eventually given, which turned out to be wrong.

And he said they should review the way they carry out and monitor referrals for surgery.

Mr Martin said the board had accepted his recommendations and would act on them immediately.