Health chiefs have been forced to apologise to the family of a newborn baby after leaving it with a dislocated hip for months - despite being seen by a physiotherapist.
NHS Lothian has been ordered to apologise after a parent of the baby complained to the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO).
The parent, referred to as C in the report, raised concerns after their request for an ultrasound scan was refused by medics at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Edinburgh - despite a number of 'red flags' for hip dysplasia.
Watchdogs found the physio missed the child's hip dysplasia and as a result the condition was not diagnosed until 'some months later'.
The SPSO upheld the complaint after an investigation found the decision not to carry out a scan of the child's hips was 'unreasonable' and led to a delayed diagnosis.
The report said: "C complained about a failure to diagnose that their newborn baby (A) had a dislocated hip from birth.
"A was reviewed by a physiotherapist (at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children, and C raised concerns that their request for an ultrasound scan was refused despite the presence of a number of red flag risk factors for hip dysplasia (where the 'ball and socket' of the hip are not properly formed).
"A's condition was not diagnosed until some months later.
"The board noted that the physiotherapist found A's hips to be functioning normally.
"They accepted that initial screening will always have the opportunity for human error.
"They said that this is mitigated by regular teaching and peer review, and ensuring staff are competent in examination before reviewing patients.
"However, as a result of this complaint, they made changes to their hip screening procedures.
"We took independent advice from a paediatric physiotherapy specialist.
"We considered that the presence of a number of recognised risk factors of hip dysplasia, together with a doctor's prior positive clinical assessment of hip instability, should have led the physiotherapist to arrange an ultrasound.
"The decision not to carry out a scan of A's hips was unreasonable and resulted in a delayed diagnosis.
"We upheld this complaint.
"We were advised that the changes already made by the board to their hip screening procedures should improve the clinical process going forward."
Dr Tracey Gillies, medical director at NHS Lothian, said: “As well as issuing a written apology directly to C, I would also like to take the opportunity to apologise for the failings in this case and for the distress this has caused.
“We accept the ombudsman’s recommendations in full and are working through a plan to address these.
“Hip dysplasia, while common, can be difficult to diagnose.
“In response to this complaint we made changes to our hip screening processes, as well as enhancing the teaching, peer review and training that is available for staff.”
