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Medical Negligence Claims: Latest News
GMC investigate GP who had sex with patient in surgery
A General Medical Council hearing is underway in which it was heard that a GP had sex with a patient in his surgery whilst her husband sat in the waiting room.
The relationship, which lasted seven months, ended when the GP was suspended.
The woman, know as Patient A, told the hearing that she did not wish to enter into the relationship but felt forced to do so. The GP also visited the patient at home and in hospital.
Clearly, should the allegations be true then this GP is guilty of serious misconduct. Abusing a position of power and trust is serious in any situation, but abusing the patient-doctor relationship can have serious consequence as patients are often vulnerable. The effects can be considerable and often long lasting.
Our Lawyers are experts in all types of medical negligence claims. If you feel that you have been the victim of medical negligence, contact us today to discuss your concerns with a specialist Lawyer.
National Patient Safety Agency: ‘Never events’ list published
The National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) has recently published its “Never Events Framework”.
Never Events are “serious, largely preventable patient safety incidents that should not occur if the available preventative measures have been implemented”.
Report reveals “appalling” standards of care
A report by the lobby group Patients Association recently highlighted worrying levels of care in hospitals throughout the NHS.
In particular, the PA used 16 examples of patients’ experiences many of which involved the elderly.
Allegations such as patients being left to lie in their own faeces, vomit and urine, were made within the report.
Clearly, and the PA acknowledges, the general level of nursing care in the NHS is of a reasonable standard and the overwhelming majority of nurses want to help patients. However, the fact that it is the elderly that time and time again are the victims of this neglect is unacceptable.
Hopefully the report can be used to instigate improvements in patient care starting with an appreciation of the vulnerabilities and needs of elderly patients.
Our Medical Lawyers have dealt with many medical negligence claims involving allegations of poor care, including poor care by nursing staff. Contact us today should you wish to discuss your concerns with a specialist Lawyer on a no obligation basis.
Exam Error Inquiry
The General Medical Council will investigate how four students who failed their final exams were told they had passed and allowed to practise.
All four students worked in Welsh hospitals and have now been suspended.
It is not clear how the errors came about but they came to light following an appeal by another student. That student had been informed they had failed when in fact, on re-assessment of the data, they had passed.
Whilst the medics would have been heavily supervised, it is worrying that incorrect results were given which inevitably could have put patients’ safety at risk.
If you have been affected by medical negligence, contact us today for a free consultation from a specialist Medical Negligence Lawyer.
Wrong kidney removed in hospital blunder
A hospital has recently admitted to an ‘unprecedented error’ in removing a child’s healthy kidney.
The hospital in the Republic of Ireland removed the kidney from an already sick child and has apologised to the family. The child will now require regular dialysis until a donor can be found.
These types of errors are unforgivable and should not happen. The only excuse is poor procedures within the hospital.
If you have been affected by medical negligence, contact us today for a free consultation from a specialist Medical Negligence Lawyer.
A victory for patient choice?
It has been announced recently that as from April 2008 patients will be able to choose from any hospital in the country to undergo elective medical treatment.
At present, some patients are able to select from a list of around five hospitals when deciding on where to have the treatment, under the ‘choose and book’ service.
From April the choice will include all hospitals, including foundation trusts and elite units.
Medical Claims Online commented:
“Whilst this is obviously a step in the right direction for patient choice, the majority of patients will prefer to undergo their treatment at their local hospital. Improvements to local hospitals should be a priority to enable access to top quality healthcare irrespective of a patient’s location or means.”
Our Lawyers are leading Lawyers for Medical Negligence Claims. Contact us today to discuss your claims with a specialist Medical Negligence Lawyer.
Personal Beliefs of Doctors and Patients: New Guidance
The GMC has recently issued further guidance to doctors when faced with either:
1.a patient who requests treatment which conflicts with the doctor’s personal beliefs; or
2.a patient who refuses treatment based on their personal beliefs.
The main focus of the guidance is to ensure that doctors provide the best possible care to a patient and do not allow...
‘High mortality rates’ at NHS Trust
The Healthcare Commission has recently announced that it will be launching an investigation in to high mortality rates at an NHS Trust.
The Commission will investigate apparent high rates of mortality at the Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust and will focus on emergency admissions.
The high rate of mortality could well be a reflection on the Trust’s recording of information. However, the Commission will investigate the quality of care provided by the Trust.
In addition, the Commission will look into the Trust’s information systems and identify any problems that may be a factor.
Clearly these figures are worrying but it is encouraging that the Healthcare Commission has taken steps to ensure patient safety is not affected.
Our Lawyers have extensive Medical Negligence experience and regularly deal with claims involving deaths in hospital.
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