Smile Together Dental CIC (17 007 723c)

Statement Upheld Dental 19-Feb-2019

Summary: I consider Cornwall Council (the Council) was at fault when it sent contradictory information to Mr X saying it would not issue an education, health and care (EHC) plan for Miss Y, and then saying it would issue one. Due to Miss Y’s age, Mr X has lost the opportunity to appeal the Council’s decision. Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (the Trust) delayed carrying out blood tests and an ECG. This caused uncertainty to Mr X. Also, the Trust used the wrong sized feeding tube for Miss Y. This caused pain to Miss Y and distress to Mr X. Smile Together Dental CIC (the Dental Service) did not provide Miss Y with an appointment since September 2016. This caused frustration to Mr X. Also, the Council and Kernow Clinical Commissioning Group (the CCG) delayed providing responses to Mr X’s complaints, and did not keep him updated during the complaint handling process. This compounded the distress he had already suffered. The Ombudsmen made recommendations to remedy the injustices.