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Medical Negligence Blog

Our medical negligence claims team regularly write about related legal topics and welcome your comments on our posts. If you would like more information on our services, please don't hesitate to get in touch on 01616 966 229.

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The government's major conditions strategy - health service

Carla Duprey
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I think everyone is aware that the NHS is under pressure and that some radical changes will be required to safeguard it for the future. A lot of people may not be aware that the government is planning to publish a major conditions strategy early this...

The Bobath Centre's Christmas Appeal

Carla Duprey
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Some readers may be familiar with the National Bobath Cerebral Palsy Centre and may have attended for treatment themselves or attended with a family member receiving treatment. I know that some of my clients and their families have attended the centre in...

What is kernicterus? Symptoms & treatment

Laura Owen
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Bilirubin is a yellowish substance made when red blood cells are broken down. It passes through the liver, gallbladder and digestive tract before being excreted. High bilirubin levels are more common in babies. Babies have a high number of red...

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust maternity care claims

Claire Stockley
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The CQC has rated three maternity services run by Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust as inadequate. The nationwide review of maternity services, run by midwife Donna Ockenden, found that North Manchester General Hospital, Saint Mary’s Hospital...

Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust maternity care claims

Claire Stockley
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The ratings for maternity services at Liverpool’s Women’s Hospital went down following a recent nationwide review of maternity services by midwife, Donna Ockenden. The review took place in January 2023 and the hospital was given an overall...

Bolton NHS Foundation Trust maternity care claims

Claire Stockley
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Maternity services at Royal Bolton Hospital have been rated as ‘requiring improvement’ following a nationwide review of maternity services by midwife, Donna Ockenden. The main findings of the report, published in March 2023 were as follows: ...

Sepsis - what are the symptoms and how can it be treated?

Claire Stockley
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Most people have heard of ‘sepsis’, but how many of you know exactly what causes this life threatening condition, how to spot it and what to do if you think somebody may be developing sepsis? Who can develop sepsis? Anybody with an infection...

Latest NHS Resolution report shows level of harm in NHS maternity care is still unacceptably high

Laura Sheehan
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Every year, NHS Resolution (NHSR) helps to resolve thousands of legal claims on behalf of the NHS in England. Last month, the organisation published its annual report, which outlines its dispute resolution strategy and summarises the volume of claims, both...

New whistleblowing guidance for medical professionals

Carla Duprey
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Carl Johnson, from our regulatory team, has recently written some comments about the new General Medical Council (GMC) guidance that has been issued for doctors. Included within this guidance are updated standards regarding whistleblowing systems. ...

Birmingham Women's Hospital offering new screening for expectant mothers

Carla Duprey
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Birmingham Women’s Hospital are the first hospital to offer Group B Streptococcus (GBS) screening to mothers, as part of a national research trial (GBS3 trial). The purpose of the trial is to look to develop a new GBS swab to help to prevent newborns...

Further NHS industrial action planned

Tom Mooney
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Junior doctors are once more scheduled to strike next week over disputes relating to pay and working conditions (Wednesday 14 June to Saturday 17 June 2023). This follows previous industrial action in March and April. The junior doctor strikes follow...

Potential new treatment for strokes

Carla Duprey
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A new study has found changes in gene activity, in small blood vessels in the brain following a stroke, may provide the possibility for new treatment(s) to improve a person’s recovery.  My colleague, Judith, has previously written blogs on...

Potential for a third trimester scan to prevent unexpected breech deliveries

Laura Owen
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Pregnant women in the UK will generally have a dating scan at 12 weeks followed by a further anomaly scan at 20 weeks. They may have more scans if there are concerns over the baby’s or the mother’s health.  Recent research however has...

Are you aware of the symptoms of prostate cancer?

Sarah Masters
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Across the UK, around 153 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every day and it is the most common cancer in men. One in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. Most men with early prostate cancer do not show any...

What is type 2 diabetes and what are the symptoms?

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With symptoms which can often be disguised as the struggles of day-to-day life; type 2 diabetes can often go unrecognised and therefore untreated. The current estimate for people aged 16 and over in England with diabetes is at 3.8 million and is...

Cancer's 'infinite' ability to evolve

Tom Mooney
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A recent study – entitled TRACERx – has provided the most comprehensive analysis to date of how cancers evolve and what causes them to spread. The project involved collecting genomic and clinical data from over 400 people with lung cancer...

Over 20,000 deaths in England due to A&E delays

Carla Duprey
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The Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM) have recently analysed the figures for A & E departments and have reported that one patient is dying every 23 minutes in England due to long delays. This statistic is based upon their analysis that 23,003...

Women's experiences of care whilst pregnant and during childbirth has worsened

Sarah Masters
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A 2022 survey by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) has revealed only 69% of women and other pregnant people were given the help they needed when they contacted a midwifery team during their antenatal care. This is down from 74% in 2017. Further, only...

Urgent care system in crisis

Laura Sheehan
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For anyone unfortunate enough to have required emergency care in recent months, they will have likely seen first-hand the current state of pressure on our urgent care system. Hours of waiting and a struggle to find beds. Patients being left too long...

Recent rise in never events - what is a never event and why should this be concerning?

Carla Duprey
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New information has revealed that there has been an increase in the amount of 'never events' in the UK. In particular, a record number of ‘foreign objects’ have been left inside patients’ bodies after they have had surgery. NHS...

What is Strep A and what are the symptoms?

Judith Thomas-Whittingham
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There are a lot of worrying cases of Strep A which is causing alarm across the country and parents and carers need to be vigilant. There has also been a request for GPs to exercise a low tolerance when a child presents with symptoms to prescribe...

How much compensation can I get from amputation negligence?

Laura Owen
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To value a clinical negligence claim it is necessary to combine an award to compensate an individual for their pain and suffering (their ‘general damages’) with an award to compensate them for their out of pocket expenses, such as loss of...

Can pyoderma gangrenosum lead to amputation?

Judith Thomas-Whittingham
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Pyoderma gangrenosum is a rare skin condition that causes painful ulcers and can be difficult to treat. It is not infectious or contagious so you cannot catch it from another person. The cause of pyoderma gangrenosum is often unknown but it can be related...

Is cauda equina syndrome a permanent disability?

Carla Duprey
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Cauda equina syndrome itself is not a permanent disability. However, if a person who develops cauda equina syndrome does not get prompt treatment at the key time, then they can be left with permanent disabilities. These can range from ongoing pain to...

What can I claim compensation for as an amputee?

Laura Owen
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You can claim compensation for the loss of a limb if it was caused through medical negligence. The compensation you can recover is split into two different elements: 1. General damages This is an award of compensation for your pain, suffering...

Mouth Cancer Action Month - symptoms of mouth cancer and free screenings

Laura Owen
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November is Mouth Cancer Action Month . According to the Oral Health Foundation , over 8,500 people in the UK were diagnosed with mouth cancer in 2021. When compared to 2011 figures, this is a rise of 34%. Sadly over 3,000 people died from...

NHS to recruit more than 1,000 GP assistants to allow better access to GP appointments

Laura Owen
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This winter the NHS are to recruit more than 1,000 GP assistants with the aim of enabling GPs more time to treat patients. The idea is that these GP assistants will carry out administrative tasks and basic health checks usually performed by GPs. They...

Record backlog of 6.84 million people waiting for hospital treatment in England

Sarah Masters
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Following my blog in July in which the NHS figures revealed there was a record high of nearly 6.5 million people in England waiting for hospital treatment, the backlog continues to grow. A new record high of over 6.84 million people are now waiting for...

Scientists develop self-sterilising plastic

Tom Mooney
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A team at Queen’s University Belfast recently announced they have developed a virus killing plastic which could help to stop the spread of viruses, such as covid. The plastic reacts with UV light (such as the light released from a fluorescent...

Significant maternity concerns identified at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust following unannounced inspection

Judith Thomas-Whittingham
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A report commissioned by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) has identified a “significant risk to women receiving timely and appropriate care and treatment, exposing them to the risk of harm” at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust...

New NHS system for investigating serious incidents

Sarah Masters
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On 16 th August 2022 the NHS announced the new Patient Safety Incident Response Framework (PSIRF) for investigating serious incidents which will replace the Serious Incident Framework (2015). Organisations will be expected to transition to the new...

CQC inspectors say further improvements needed at University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust

Sarah Masters
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The Care Quality Commission (CQC) made unannounced visits to hospitals run by the University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust in September and October 2021 which raised concerns about staff shortages, skills training and risk management. This led to a...

Worst staffing crisis in NHS history

Claire Stockley
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As the covid-19 pandemic nears the end, life is returning to normal for many of us. Sadly, however, the same cannot be said for the NHS. Despite facing unprecedented treatment backlogs, the NHS are now facing the highest staff shortage in its history...

Nearly 6.5 million people waiting for hospital treatment in England

Sarah Masters
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Latest NHS figures show that a record high of nearly 6.5 million people in England are waiting for hospital treatment. The demand for hospital treatment has increased significantly in the past two years as a result of the backlog caused by the...

Concern for the future of GP care provision

Pam Thompson
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The issues raised in the BBC article ' The areas with the fewest GPs revealed ' are very concerning for the future of GP care provision. It was necessary, during the pandemic, for GPs to carry out most of their consultations over the telephone...

New technology to help spot and treat breast cancer

Tom Mooney
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Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK with approximately one in eight women being diagnosed with it during their lifetime. Thankfully there is a good chance of recovery if it's detected early and medics are therefore...

Over 400 'Never Events' reported in 2021/22

Sarah Masters
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The latest provisional figures published by NHS England confirm that from 1st April 2021 – 31st March 2022 there were 407 ‘Never Events’ reported which is an increase from 364 reported in the same period in the previous year. ...

People urged to use bowel cancer testing kit to help save lives

Laura Sheehan
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Bowel cancer is the fourth most common type of cancer in the UK.  120 people are diagnosed with the condition each day meaning more than 43,000 people are diagnosed with the condition each year. Bowel cancer is a very treatable condition provided it...

Is it safe to see different GPs?

Tom Mooney
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The former Health Secretary, Jeremy Hunt, has warned that the NHS is moving towards an “uberisation” of GP services, with patients being forced to see a different doctor every time they are in contact with a surgery. The former minister was...

The cost of living crisis and its impact on people living with disabilities

Carla Duprey
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We will all know that energy and petrol prices are going through the roof and I know that we will all be concerned about what impact this is having upon people. However, I am not sure that it has been fully appreciated what a devastating impact the...

Will vital lessons be learned following Britain's worst maternity scandal?

Judith Thomas-Whittingham
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The Ockenden Inquiry into maternity services at the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust reviewed almost 1,600 maternity incidents over a 20-year period and found that a staggering 201 babies could have survived had the Trust provided appropriate...

More accessible GP appointments from 1st October 2022

Judith Thomas-Whittingham
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Prior to the pandemic, NHS England agreed that GPs would need to offer appointments between 9-5 on Saturdays and weekday evening appointments between 6.30pm to 9pm to make it easier for patients to get appointments. There has been much criticism of the...

Are you aware of the symptoms of ovarian cancer?

Laura Owen
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Around 20 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer every day. It is the sixth most common cancer in women, occurring when a tumour develops from abnormal cells in the ovary. Sadly, it is a disease that is often diagnosed in the late stages. The...

Cauda equina syndrome - what is it and what are the symptoms?

Pam Thompson
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Cauda equina syndrome is a rare and severe type of spinal stenosis (narrowing in the spinal column which can lead to compression of nerves). What is the cauda equina? This is the sack of nerve roots (nerves that leave the spinal cord...

Should covid vaccinations be mandatory for NHS workers?

Tom Mooney
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Current government rules state that NHS England staff must have a first jab by 3 February and be fully vaccinated by 1 April 2022 to continue in frontline roles with the health secretary (Mr Javid) saying it is the professional duty of NHS staff to be...

NHS launches new apps to help tackle obesity

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Tackling obesity is one of the greatest long-term health challenges in England. Around two-thirds of adults are over a healthy weight. There has been a record rise in child obesity following the start of the pandemic. NHS Digital has published their ...

Breast cancer awareness

Laura Owen
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Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in the UK.  The majority of women diagnosed with breast cancer are over 50 years of age, but it can also affect women younger than this. Whilst the risks of developing breast cancer increase with age,...

How should pressure sores be prevented and treated?

Carla Duprey
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A pressure sore is damage to the skin and underlying tissues, which is caused by there being prolonged pressure on one area of the body. Pressure sores usually occur when a person is immobile and has been left in the same position for a long period of time...

Taking care of your mental health and wellbeing

Pam Thompson
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Good mental health and wellbeing are essential for living healthy and happy lives. There are areas of our lives where we can make simple changes to make a big difference to our mental health. Learn to recognise unhelpful thoughts – In...

Increase in delays of urgent referrals for suspected cancer

Tom Mooney
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The National Audit Office (NAO)  has this week identified that up to 740,000 urgent referrals for suspected cancer were missed by GPs in England during the course of the pandemic with one Oncologist calling the situation ‘the biggest...

Medical negligence cases involving the death of a loved one

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Possibly one of the most difficult types of case our medical negligence solicitors deal with is when a client approaches us for help and advice where a family member has passed away. These cases are always emotionally tough for the clients. Adding...

What you need to know about prostate cancer

Judith Thomas-Whittingham
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One in two people will be diagnosed with some form of cancer in their lifetime and prostate cancer is one of the four most common types of cancer in the UK. Prostate cancer affects the prostate which is a small gland located in the pelvis which...

HPV vaccine to dramatically cut cancer rates

Justine Wright
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UK Research has found that the HPV vaccine can cut cervical cancer rates by 90%. The vaccine is routinely offered to 12 and 13-year-olds in the UK, but those who miss it are still eligible to receive their jab until they turn 25. In 2019 the UK's...

Spotting the symptoms of bowel cancer

Laura Owen
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It may often still be considered a taboo subject in society, but with the recent news that BBC Radio 1’s Adele Roberts, 42 has been diagnosed with bowel cancer, what are the symptoms to look out for? A change in your bowel habit for...

What does the future hold for GPs?

Carla Duprey
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Your GP surgery is usually your first port of call when you start to suffer from any medical symptoms and the recent covid pandemic has highlighted how important it is, in certain circumstances, to be able to see your GP for a face-to-face appointment. As...

The impact of COVID-19 on NHS waiting lists

Tom Mooney
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As the country slowly recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic the impact on NHS waiting lists is becoming increasingly apparent. As a direct result of shutdowns of medical services over the last 18 months, the NHS faces now a huge backlog of...

What is Cauda Equina Syndrome, and what are the symptoms?

Laura Sheehan
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Today marks the first anniversary of Cauda Equina Awareness Day, a condition which most of us have probably never heard of yet for those who have had the condition, they are living with life changing injuries as a result of it. Cauda...

Folic acid and neural tube defects - a time for change

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There has been a lengthy consultation by the Department of Health and Social Care who sought input and comments from industry, stakeholders and the public on whether millers should be required, by law, to add folic acid to flour. Following the...

World Alzheimer's Day - Tuesday 21st September

Judith Thomas-Whittingham
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On 21 st September every year, people come together from all around the world to recognise and raise awareness of Alzheimer’s Disease. With over 50 million people living with dementia worldwide, global research is vital to share learning and...

Childhood cancers - a look at neuroblastoma

Carla Duprey
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September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Getting cancer whilst you are a child can have a devastating impact on your development and your family and friends' lives. Instead of a child going to school, making friends and learning new...

Are we heading towards a two-tier health system?

Laura Owen
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According to the latest figures from NHS England, a staggering 5.45 million people are waiting for NHS hospital treatment in England.  Whilst waiting lists have been increasing since 2013, the pandemic has certainly not helped. In July 2021, Health...

Artificial intelligence - the future of diagnosing illness?

Tom Mooney
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It is estimated that there are currently around 850,000 people in the UK who suffer from dementia and that figure is increasing year on year. Currently it requires the interpretation of several scans and tests, likely performed over a period of many...

Run club ready to hit the streets

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The BBC has recently reported that, on average, people have gained approximately half a stone in weight during the last 18 months or so of the pandemic. This information came from a survey of 5,000 people, conducted by Public Health England. The responses...

Respiratory syncytial virus - what every parent should know

Judith Thomas-Whittingham
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What is respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)? RSV is a common respiratory virus which usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. However, the virus can be very serious for infants and older adults. Public Health England have said that whilst it should cause...

Boost for maternity care in England

Claire Stockley
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The government has announced a £2.45 million review of maternity care in England. The shake up aims to prevent brain injury and death in childbirth. This is welcome news after a recent report found that at least 46 babies have suffered brain damage...

Hospital fined £733,000 for baby's avoidable death in landmark prosecution case

Laura Sheehan
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You may have heard about the sad story of Harry Richford.  He was born on the 2nd November 2017 at Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital in Margate. There had been no problems during mum’s, Sarah’s pregnancy. She was low risk and...

Patient medical data to be uploaded to centralised system

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NHS Digital has been set up to collect data from GP practices, to help support care and research. It supplies information and data to the health service, provides technological infrastructure, and helps different parts of health and care work together. ...

Case of mistaken identity leads to wrong medical procedure

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NHS England have a list of ‘never events’. This is a list to help providers ensure they give patients ‘safe, high quality, compassionate care within local health systems that are financially sustainable’. The ‘never...

How the pandemic has impacted dentist appointments

Judith Thomas-Whittingham
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The British Dentistry Association have reported that there is more than 10 million backlog of dentist appointments due to many dental practices closing during the pandemic. Although most practices have now reopened, they are working at a much reduced...

Delay in the diagnosis of lung and bowel cancer

Carla Duprey
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We deal with a number of clinical negligence claims relating to a delay in the diagnosis of cancer. These types of cases can be difficult as, although there may have been a delay in the diagnosis, the patient may still require the same treatment that...

What about us? The delays in medical treatment due to covid-19

Laura Sheehan
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The NHS has had a difficult task coping with the effects of covid-19 and across the country, the focus has been on prioritising the care of covid-19 patients and otherwise easing pressure on the NHS in other aspects to ensure it doesn’t crash during...

What is a stroke? Symptoms, diagnosis and treatment

Judith Thomas-Whittingham
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What is a stroke? A stroke is when the blood supply to the brain is cut off.  It is a medical emergency and can be life threatening so urgent treatment is essential. It can affect both adults and children. There are 2 main causes of strokes: ...

State benefits and medical negligence claims

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Often when you’ve suffered medical negligence you’re quite badly injured or have such significant symptoms that you’re not able to work, you’ve notified the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and they grant you access to...

Parkinson's Awareness Week

Tom Mooney
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This week (11 to 17 April 2021) is Parkinson’s awareness week. Parkinson's is the fastest growing neurological condition in the world, affecting around 145,000 people in the UK alone. To put this into context there are currently more people...

Much needed funding boost in maternity care

Judith Thomas-Whittingham
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NHS England has announced an extra £95m in funding for maternity care. This is a well needed boost to this area of medicine which can demonstrate the extreme highs and darkest lows in life. The additional funds will facilitate the recruitment...

Covid cough or lung cancer? - Is there a delay in diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer?

Jamie Cruickshanks
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Reluctance to attend hospital tests and come forward about symptoms could be contributing to delays in lung cancer diagnosis, a Cancer Research UK survey of GPs across the UK has shown.  A study of 1,000 GPs has been carried out by Cancer Research...

Can you bring a medical negligence claim following joint replacement surgery?

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According to the National Joint Registry there are 160,000 total hip and knee replacements performed in England and Wales each year. Ankle, elbow and shoulder replacements are also possible although much less common. Joint replacement surgery involves...

Baby boy dies after NHS Trust makes mistakes during delivery

Claire Stockley
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A baby boy sadly died as a result of mistakes made during his delivery at Frimley Park Hospital NHS Trust. Theo Ellis was in a breech position but the midwives failed to recognise this until his mother was in advanced labour. There were also missed...

Charcot's foot - the facts and medical negligence claims

Carla Duprey
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Charcot’s foot is a serious, but not very well known, potential complication of having diabetes. It is a weakening of the bones in the foot, which can occur when a person has nerve damage (neuropathy) in their feet. Diabetic neuropathy occurs due to...

Delay in the diagnosis of cervical cancer

Claire Stockley
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As we are navigate our way through our third lockdown in ten months, the upheaval thrust upon us by coronavirus is becoming all too familiar. The overwhelming demand on the NHS is reported daily in the news and many of us have had personal...

What impact will Brexit have on the supply of drugs and other medical products to the UK?

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The Brexit transition period is set to end on 31 December 2020. This means that from 1 January 2021, the government expects new checks and administration procedures at the border between the UK and France to create immediate disruption in the supply of...

NHS to trial blood test with potential to identify cancer

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The NHS have announced that they are ready to trial a blood test which has been developed by Californian firm, Grail. This blood test has the potential to identify over 50 forms of cancer by detecting molecular changes in the blood caused by cancer in...

UK organ donation - are you aware of the change in the law?

Claire Stockley
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On 20 May 2020 the law relating to organ donation changed in the UK. Prior to this date, those who wished to donate their organs were required to opt in, meaning that people had to actively register their intention to become a donor. Inevitably not...

Milestone in the development of Covid-19 vaccination

Tom Mooney
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The 9th of November 2020 was a milestone day in the development of a potentially effective Covid-19 vaccination with developers Pfizer and BioNTech reporting promising initial results from their recent trial. 43,500 people were involved in the...

Home-testing proposed for NHS staff

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In June this year, the President of the Royal College of Surgeons, Professor Derek Alderson, was speaking at the Health Select Committee meeting about getting the necessary steps and checks in place to get the broader NHS services back up and running...

A prosecution of an NHS Trust for failing in its duty of candour - a one off or the first of many?

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University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust has been prosecuted by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) for failing in its obligations to be open and transparent. Elsie Woodfield, who was 91, died due to suffering from a perforated oesophagus during an endoscopy....

Funding a medical negligence claim - the options

Tom Mooney
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The funding of medical negligence claims is understandably very important to clients and, in my experience, prevents some people from attempting to access justice. I am regularly asked for reassurance from potential clients that they won’t...

'First Do No Harm' - A medicines and medical devices safety review

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The Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Review has been published following a 2 year investigation into three medical interventions: Primodos, sodium valproate and pelvic mesh, interventions used on and by women. Primodos was a hormone...

Change in legislation aims to increase number of organ donors

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On 20 May 2020, legislation in England came into effect which means that all adults will be considered as potential organ donors when they die, unless their family intervenes or they opt out during their lifetime. This replaces the previous...

The impact of strokes in the UK

Judith Thomas-Whittingham
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In the UK somebody has a stroke every five minutes meaning that there are 100,000 strokes every year. What is a stroke? A stroke is when brain cells die because the blood supply to the brain is cut off. They cause more disabilities than any other...

Tips for living with an acquired brain injury

Judith Thomas-Whittingham
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Brain injuries can occur at any stage of life and can have a long-lasting and life altering effect on those who suffer from them and their families. Read our top ten tips for those who have or those who care for someone with an acquired brain...

How will I pay for my cerebral palsy medical negligence claim, and is it worth it?

Claire Stockley
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Cerebral palsy cases are usually very costly due to the complex and often lengthy investigations that are required.   However, if you or a loved one think that you may have a cerebral palsy claim , there may be several options available to...

Clinicians to help resolve legal claims

Laura Sheehan
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If you’ve ever made a complaint about your medical care and the complaints process has been followed correctly, you’ll appreciate the benefit of the treating clinicians addressing your concerns. They can provide answers to your...

What is the process of making a medical negligence claim?

Tom Mooney
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Pursuing a medical negligence claim might initially seem daunting – especially as the vast majority of people are unlikely to have gone through the process before. The aim of this blog is therefore to provide a brief summary of the process, from...

Can costs associated with surrogacy be recovered if medical negligence caused infertility?

Tom Mooney
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Last month the Supreme Court heard the case of XX v Whittington Hospital NHS Trust. XX is a clinical negligence claim in which the NHS Trust admitted that there was a delay in diagnosing cancer and that, as a consequence of this delay, Ms X required...

New database will allow information to be shared between hospitals

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Sir Bruce Keogh, former NHS England Medical Director, has developed a new information platform with the Independent Healthcare Providers Network. The database is designed to be a secure system to allow information to be shared between hospitals (private...

Jeremy Hunt sets up new charity to improve patient safety and reduce levels of avoidable harm

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The former health Secretary, Jeremy Hunt has this week registered a new charity Patient Safety Watch which aims at collating data to help decrease the instances of poor care and improve overall patient safety within the NHS. According to Mr Hunt...

What is the difference between an infection and sepsis?

Tom Mooney
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A few weeks ago, the Press Association released an alarming statement that hospital admissions for sepsis in England have more than doubled in three years. The rises relate to all age groups – including the very young . Sepsis can be...

New discount rate - the end of the uncertainty?

Carla Duprey
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After many months of speculation, the Lord Chancellor has finally revealed that the new discount rate for personal injury claims will be -0.25%. This has been calculated using the new methodology of taking into account the actual returns available on...

Dr Alexa is ready to see you now - NHS embraces voice assisted technology

Laura Sheehan
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Got a problem cough? Worried about a lump? Many of us now turn to the internet and Google our symptoms as a first port of call. Well, as of this week, the Amazon Alexa is able to search the official NHS website in order to answer any health...

Relative of Nye Bevan died as a result of "neglect" by NHS trusts

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A case before the Coroner’s Court has recently been reported in the press because, as a result of mistakes by two hospital trusts, the great-nephew of NHS founder, Nye Bevan, passed away. The evidence before the coroner was that Mr Bevan was not...