Compensation claim for a cancelled operation

The strain on the NHS, which has only worsened since the outbreak of Covid-19, is often responsible for the cancellation of appointments and surgical procedures. In fact, hospitals have reportedly been forced to admit far fewer patients for non-coronavirus conditions in the past year. Some figures suggest that the volume of people admitted for routine treatment in hospitals was reportedly down by almost half in February 2021 when compared with the same month in 2020. If you have been adversely affected by an incident of negligence, that is when you may be able to make a claim for a cancelled operation.

In our experience, many patients are unsure of their rights when it comes to cancelled operations, which is why it is important that those affected seek legal advice to establish what their next steps can be. This is particularly vital in cases where the cancellation has had an irreversible impact on your health.

As specialists in medical negligence, we are here to support you through the uncertainties of cancelled treatment; standing up for your rights to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. Anyone who needs to discuss the impact of a cancelled appointment and what their legal rights are can contact us for free, no-obligation advice.

Can I claim for a cancelled operation?

The NHS has established guidelines on the rights of patients in the event that their procedure is cancelled. It may be that your operation is cancelled due to clinical reasons, such as being too unwell to undergo the procedure, or due to non-clinical reasons, such as the prioritisation of more urgent operations and those in greater need of hospital beds.

If your operation is cancelled for non-clinical reasons, the NHS usually pledges to offer you a new date for your procedure within 28 days. Hopefully, this will not lead to any worsening of your conditions or any further difficulties. However, if your appointment is rescheduled again, and we believe it amounts to negligence, you may be able to make a claim for a cancelled operation.

Determining your compensation amount

When you claim for a cancelled operation, your compensation value will likely depend on a number of factors, which may include:

• the length of the delay to treatment;
• the severity of the condition or injury that the cancelled procedure was supposed to treat;
• the additional pain or damage to your health caused by the cancellation;
• any distress caused by the cancellation.

In general, the greater the severity of these factors, the higher your compensation pay-out will usually be.

Pursue your compensation claim

If you wish to claim for a cancelled operation, or for any other medical negligence issue, make sure to speak to our team to discuss any enquiries you may have. We know how anxious the wait can be for a rescheduled appointment, and it is important that you take action for any negligence that you may have fallen victim to.

In cases where a medical professional has breached the duty of care they owed to you, you may be able to recover thousands of pounds in compensation. We are often able to offer No Win, No Fee representation to eligible claimants, so there really should be no obstacle preventing you from making a claim.

Please do not hesitate to contact us for free, no-obligation advice here now.