Routine surgery cancellations and delays can be a real headache for the patients involved. The NHS must, of course, prioritise the emergency cases, but when routine surgeries are cancelled and delayed as a result of avoidable problems, we’re looking at a very different issue indeed.
Shortages of staff and cyber-security incidents have been two recent reasons for spates of routine surgery delays and cancellations. These are the kinds of scenarios that we should not be facing, and for the patients who may have to wait and suffer longer, can anything be done?
Patients are entitled to seek legal advice for routine surgery cancellations and delays, and there are scenarios were a case can be made.
If your routine surgery has been delayed or cancelled, and the reason for the delay or cancellation is because of an avoidable incident, you may actually have a claim for medical negligence compensation. If the cancellation or delay leads to you suffering for longer, or suffering complications, you may have the right to initiate legal action.
Sometimes, the delays and cancellations are caused by direct mistakes on the part of a healthcare professional or a hospital. If your routine surgery is delayed or cancelled because of a mistake, you should be able to make a claim for medical negligence compensation where the delay or cancellation has led to further suffering and / or complications.
Particularly in cases where avoidable complications arise, or where a routine procedure is delayed or cancelled a number of times, patients have the right to complain and have the right to seek justice for further suffering caused.
We can assess your case today
Any potential medical negligence claim is assessed on a case-by-case basis, and only where we can prove negligence can there be an avenue for compensation in most scenarios. Although emergency cases do need to be prioritised in some instances, there are times where avoidable suffering and complications need to be further investigated.
Please feel free to contact our team for help and advice should you need to.
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