Southend Hospital was today rapped by the Ombudsman after doctors sent home a woman who later needed her leg amputated.

The criticism, in the latest report of health service Ombudsman Sir Michael Buckley, comes after treatment of a patient known only as "Mrs Z".

Mrs Z, who had a history of circulatory problems and already had her left leg amputated six years earlier, needed surgery to improve the blood supply to her leg.

The treatment date was set for four weeks' time - even though the consultant had said it was urgent and the patient's daughter had asked for the date to be brought forward.

In the meantime, Mrs Z was referred by her GP to the hospital's A&E department but sent home after being seen by two doctors.

An operation to widen the blood vessels was performed on August 12, 1999, and amputation of Mrs Z's toe was scheduled for four days later but postponed twice.

However, seven days later her leg was amputated below the knee leading her daughter to complain the amputation might have been limited to the toe only if surgery had been carried out sooner.

The Ombudsman found the two doctors in A&E who sent Mrs Z home should have sought the views of a more senior doctor and considered admitting her.

However, it was unlikely an earlier operation would have resulted in a less extensive amputation, said the Ombudsman.

He upheld that part of the complaint.

The Trust has apologised to Mrs Z's daughter and agreed to the Ombudsman's recommendations to make a number of improvements for consultant cover, clinical record-keeping, high dependency unit support and delivery of oxygen therapy.

David Brackenbury, chief executive at Southend Hospital, said: "I have personally apologised to the complainant, known as Mrs Z, and acknowledge the shortcomings highlighted in the Ombudsman's report."

Published Tuesday, March 26, 2002