By CAROLINE WILSON
A HEALTH board has been told to apologise to a mum who missed out on rehabilitative treatment after a traumatic birth.
The woman suffered a third-degree perineal tear after delivering at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Glasgow.
While she was told this was a recognised complication of birth, the mother did not receive planned physiotherapy to help her recover.
Her complaint against NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde was upheld by the Public Services Health Ombudsman.
The health board has been told to send a written apology to the mum and ensure that women who suffer serious tears are referred for physiotherapy.
It was given a deadline for implementing additional training for staff.
Third and fourth degree tears are an uncommon complication of childbirth that can cause long-term problems with the bowel and bladder without treatment.
The inquiry found: “Mrs C was appropriately seen in a specialist clinic 11 weeks and 25 weeks after the delivery of her baby daughter and that the treatment she received during the appointments was reasonable.
“However, it appeared that Mrs C did not receive the planned physiotherapy treatment following her first clinic appointment.
“We were critical of the board in this regard and upheld this part of Mrs C’s complaint.”
A spokeswoman for NHSGGC said: “We have today received the Ombudsman’s report and fully accept the recommendations.
“We have already reminded all staff that when making physiotherapy appointments a copy of the relevant clinic letter is sent to the physiotherapists to ensure that patients are not subject to appointment delays.
“We have previously apologised to the patient but will be writing to them again reiterating our further apologies.”
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