The Medical Negligence Blog
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Gosport Hospital scandal: an avoidable tragedy
The Gosport Hospital scandal was avoidable given the information that has come to light as part of the Gosport Independent Panel reports.
Nurses as far back as 1988 – 30 years ago – reportedly raised the alarm over drugs being prescribed to patients. The powerful diamorphine that was given to patients by Dr Jane Barton has said to have contributed toward a number of deaths.
Despite warnings being raised by staff with managers and unions, there was a failure to act. The report by the Panel concluded that Dr Barton was responsible for some 656 deaths between the 1980’s and 2001.
Is cancer patient care leading to increased suicide risk?
Issues over the quality of cancer patient care is a real issue right now. But is there a link to increased risks of suicide that’s caused by inadequate care?
A recent government study found that cancer patients can be at an increased risk of suicide. The increased risk may be as high as 20%.
It sounds feasible to link cancer patients to an increased risk of suicide given what they have to go through. But when we’re seeing more and more issues arising over inadequate cancer patient care and funding constraints, is there a link?
Cosmetic surgery compensation advice
If you need cosmetic surgery compensation advice, we can help you. This falls within the remit of our specialism for negligence cases we represent people for.
With the growing popularity of cosmetic surgery, a lack of regulation here in the UK means that people can be at risk. Some cosmetic procedures are incredibly invasive, and if they’re not carried out by someone with the right skills, people can suffer.
If you have suffered when something has gone wrong, you can speak to our lawyers for help and advice now. If we think we can help you, we can represent you for a cosmetic surgery compensation claim.
NHS patients denied hip and knee replacements
NHS patients are increasingly being denied hip and knee replacements as a result of funding issues, leaving people at risk of complications and mobility problems.
According to a British Medical Journal study, patients are being denied hip and knee replacements more and more, with refusals increasing by 45% when compared to the previous year.
These restrictions on procedures are a damning reflection of the continuing NHS funding problems that are only going to leave patients more vulnerable to complications and prolonged mobility problems, which in turn could see a rise in cases of negligence.
Shropshire baby deaths review widened
Last year’s investigation into the tragic Shropshire baby deaths is to be widened as the number of cases has increased from 23 to over 40.
The investigation that was launched last year into the quality of care at a Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Trust maternity unit has been looking into a lack of staff and a lack of a learning couture to prevent incidents, with a number of the Shropshire baby deaths cases being linked to negligence.
Infant deaths, maternal deaths and brain injuries are among the problems that have been linked to poor quality of care within the Trust.
Mesh implant problems prompts NHS ban
We are very pleased to see that the NHS has finally put a ban on mesh operations as a result of continuing mesh implant problems.
Mesh implant problems have been known for a long time now, and the complications that patients can suffer from are often permanent and incredibly severe. There have been a number of investigations leading to the MHRA previously suggesting that the benefits outweighed the risks of the procedure, before the introduction of guidelines introduced by NICE (The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence). Now, there is a total pause on the procedures altogether in most cases.
We welcome the news as we have been advising people who have suffered mesh implant problems for years.
GP prescription problems could lead to deaths
Worsening NHS budget issues resulting in GP prescription problems could lead to deaths for those who rely on medication to survive.
There appears to be increasing numbers of stories about patients who are being denied the prescription drugs they need to stay well or even keep alive as a result of budget constraints, or cases where patients are having to wait longer or visit their surgery more frequently as numbers of drugs issued are reduced.
Is out-of-date medical equipment costing lives?
Concerns have been raised that out-of-date medical equipment may be costing lives as the issue of funding in the NHS continues to plague the UK.
According to data gleaned from a recent Freedom of Information request, it’s thought that there are potentially hundreds of x-ray machines being used past their use-by date, as well as hundreds of ultrasound machines that need replacing, and dozens of MRI machines and CT scanners still being used as well.
There are concerns that the vital equipment that’s needed to diagnosis and treat potentially life-threatening conditions is going to cost lives because of aging machinery.
Tribunal rules baby decapitated due to doctor error
A tribunal has ruled that a baby decapitated during childbirth was due to the doctor’s actions when a natural birth was chosen over an emergency caesarean section.
The senior gynaecologist in question, Dr Vaishnavy Laxman, reportedly attempted to carry out a natural birth despite the patient’s dilation not being sufficient. At the time of the incident, the patient was under general anaesthetic as Dr Laxman proceeded with the attempt at the natural birth.
As part of an ongoing tribunal, the panel chairman has reportedly found that the attempt to delivery the baby naturally was the cause of the incident.
Medical Negligence Solicitors – instruct a solicitor direct
If you need to make a claim for medical negligence compensation, you should instruct Medical Solicitors directly.
But, what does this mean?
A number of the ‘big name firms’ you see out there, including those who advertise on the TV with famous faces touting their services, are actually not lawyers at all. Many are actually claims management companies, or claims advice services; essentially middlemen who pass the claims over to solicitors when you can simply go direct.
We advise that you should always approach Medical Negligence Solicitors, and there are good reasons as to why you should.
Next generation of personalised cancer treatment on the horizon
It’s understood that the next generation of personalised cancer treatment is on the horizon after recent study results showed increased survival rates for incurable cancers.
Scientists and medical professionals have been using personalised methods to target genes for hard-to-treat tumours, and the results are said to have worked wonders.
Personalised cancer treatment is already a method used by the NHS for cancer patients, but Oncologists are now calling for cancer patients to receive this “next generation” of sequencing so they can identify the drug best suited to their individual needs as soon as possible.
The NHS deficit 2018 is reportedly double the planned deficit, which is more grim news for the struggling health services.
The combined deficit was planned to be at £460m, but it has ended up being £960m instead; almost double the deficit that was accounted for.
There remains a massive gap between the services we’re demanding and the affordability in place to provide those services. The hardworking NHS staff we rely on to provide us care when we need it simply do not have the resources to properly help us, and we find ourselves warning the government again that they must resolve the NHS funding crisis to avoid harm to patients.