The Medical Negligence Blog
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Cancelled NHS appointments and medical negligence compensation
In some circumstances, cancelled NHS appointments can be unavoidable. But with reports of increasing numbers of delays and problems, we need to look at patient safety.
And we also need to look at when cancellations lead to patient suffering, and whether a victim can be entitled to make a claim for medical negligence compensation.
It’s understood that there are increasing numbers of appointments being cancelled, and some are being cancelled more than once. There have been reports of some patients facing 10 cancellations in a row, which is staggering. With this problem seemingly on the rise, what can patients do?
When breast cancer is not diagnosed in time
It can be truly devastating when breast cancer is not diagnosed quickly enough, whether it’s due to an initial misdiagnosis, or problems getting scans, referrals and results.
Like with other cancers, it can spread into other areas of the body. If left untreated for too long, the cancer can spread to the point where there’s simply nothing more that can be done.
For those patients who are fortunate enough to be able to make a recovery, a late diagnosis can still leave you with long-term health problems and a great deal of suffering. That’s why it’s important to know your rights when it comes to medical negligence personal injury compensation claims.
Compensation for a cancelled operation
It’s possible to be able to make a claim for compensation for a cancelled operation, and this can be something that we’re able to offer No Win, No Fee representation for.
Whether you can claim or not often depends on a number of factors as to why the procedure was cancelled, as well as the priority of the procedure, and if you have suffered.
When it comes to making a claim for medical negligence compensation, we must typically show that negligence has occurred, and that the negligence has caused suffering. It isn’t always the case that a a cancelled procedure stems from negligence, so we must assess each case on its own individual merits.
Mental health negligence claims
As well as needing to talk about our mental health, we also need to make sure that we talk about, and address, mental health negligence claims.
Mental health has never been more prevalent than it this day and age. It’s not the misunderstood and sometimes even taboo topic that it used to be. With World Mental Health Day passing last week, we wanted to briefly talk about the issues surrounding diagnosis and treatment, and how they tie in with claims for compensation.
In the same way that a lack of treatment or a lack of a diagnosis for a physical ailment can leave patients suffering more, and suffering worse, the same can be said about our mental health as well.
NHS screening problems: advice for patients
When it comes to NHS screening problems for things like cancer, it’s important that patients get the right help when it’s needed.
But when things go wrong, patients can suffer. When problems are avoidable, that’s where we can help people.
Delayed diagnosis or delayed treatment that stems from problems with screening can allow a patient to make a medical negligence claim for compensation. Depending on what has happened, we may be able to offer No Win, No Fee representation.
Private ambulances putting patients at risk?
There has been a reported rise in the number of private ambulances in use, which is feared to be leaving patients at a greater risk of medical negligence.
It’s understood that chronic shortages are leading to many Trusts using private ambulances for 999 calls more and more. The spend on private vehicles is said to be increasing, with millions being spent in order to cover gaps in the service.
The worry is whether these private ambulances are up to the job, especially since recent studies suggests that they may not be.
Short appointment times a cause for concern
The limits that mean most patients must undergo short appointment times of less than 10 minutes are understood to be putting patients at risk and worrying doctors.
As lawyers who specialise in medical negligence, the risks are obvious to us, and they’re obvious to doctors as well. It can be easy for things to be missed when GPs are under pressure to wrap up their time with patients too early, meaning they don’t have the proper chance to ensure for a correct diagnosis and course of treatment.
If you, as a patient, end up suffering as a result of short appointment times, what can you do about it?
NHS cancer scans delayed over pensions problems
It’s reported that there are delays with NHS cancer scans being read that has stemmed from an ongoing pensions tax row that has led to some NHS staff limiting the amount of overtime they do.
In some cases, cancer scans are being left for weeks before being dealt with, which can leave patients vulnerable to cancer spreading and the development of compilations. One example reportedly saw turnaround times jump from one week to one month, and some patients have turned up to appointments for readings to be given when scans haven’t been dealt with at all, leading to wasted appointments.
At the centre of this ongoing dispute is the patients who are vulnerable to suffering more when turnaround times are impacted. For a matter as serious and as left threatening as cancer, something needs to be done.
Loss of eyesight compensation through medical negligence
A loss of eyesight compensation claim is often a high value case that’s dealt with by our specialist catastrophic injury team here at the Medical Negligence Lawyers.
Compensation pay-outs can be significant, and they will usually need to cover not only the suffering and inconvenience of losing your eyesight, but also for losses and expenses. If you can no longer work due to the loss of vision, the lost earnings claim can be substantial.
Here’s a little advice about when you may be eligible to make a claim for medical negligence compensation for losing your vision, and what to do.
Stroke misdiagnosis compensation
We can help you with expert representation if you need to make a claim for stroke misdiagnosis compensation, which is always a serious matter.
A stroke is a ticking timebomb, and the longer it’s left without treatment, the worse the complications can be for the patients. Many stroke victims will be forced to live with lifelong problems, and medical professionals must act fast to spot the signs and administer treatment.
Sometimes, things don’t always go to plan. If you were given an inaccurate diagnosis and / or were diagnosed too late, we may be able to help you.
Doctors missed cancer signs and symptoms
It can be absolutely devastating for patients in cases where the doctors missed cancer signs and symptoms, and the impact can be severe and permanent.
It comes as no comfort when we’re told that we don’t have anything serious to worry about, only to discover later on down the line that there has been an error. As medical negligence specialists, compensation claims for a missed or incorrect diagnosis is a common type of case, and when it involves cancer, it’s a matter that needs to be taken seriously.
If this has happened to you or someone you know, here’s a little advice about what to do.
Doctors missed sepsis: compensation advice
In cases where doctors missed sepsis signs and symptoms, the consequences can be absolutely devastating, and life-threatening.
Legal advice about your options for claiming medical negligence compensation is therefore incredibly important. Especially when you consider the lifelong impact that may be involved due to complications of things like blood poisoning being missed in the first place.
Here’s some advice about your options for justice and making a legal case with us on a No Win, No Fee basis.