A WOMAN who was refused treatment by a Glasgow hospital who then went abroad for private treatment will get the bills paid by the health board after she had a complaint upheld.

The patient referred to as Ms C waited ten months for a HyCoSy scan, to detect damage to fallopian tubes, at the old Southern General hospital to investigate infertility.

She then waited to see a gynaecologist to discuss the results of the scan, but with no date for a appointment and as she was suffering “severe abdominal pain” she went abroad to seek a private consultation.

The consultant carried out an ultrasound scan and recommended a laparoscopy to confirm suspected endometriosis.

A laparospcopy allow the surgeon to access the abdomen through a small hole in the skin.

However a consultant gynaecologist from Greater Glasgow and Clyde Heath board then refused to arrange a laparoscopy

Ms C paid for the laparoscopy procedure abroad which confirmed a diagnosis of endometriosis and she then had surgery to treat and cure her symptoms.

She complained to the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman who upheld her complaint and recommended the health board apologise and refund her the cost of the treatment.

The ombudsman report said: “We took independent advice from a consultant gynaecologist. We found that there was an unacceptable delay in arranging Ms C's HyCoSy scan, the result of which was not normal and that a laparoscopy should have been arranged for Ms C by the board. Based on the clinical advice we received, we were satisfied that the board should have offered Ms C a laparoscopy to provide the definitive diagnosis. Therefore, we upheld Ms C's complaint.”

A spokeswoman for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said: “We have received the Ombudsman’s report and fully accept the recommendations.

“We have previously written to the patient offering our sincere apologies for the failings identified with her care and will now make arrangements to reimburse her for the cost of her surgery abroad.

“We have already put in place an action plan and as a direct result of the issue raised by this patient on her medical notes our health records team have taken the opportunity to reiterate to all our staff the importance of tracering case records at all times.

“We will also provide a report to the Ombudsman to demonstrate that we have addressed his recommendations fully.”