So here’s an example of medical negligence in its worst element. Fortunately not fatal, but leaving the patient with horrific (if that’s the correct word to describe it) and permanent consequences…
According to sources from the BBC (source), a surgeon has been struck off the register after he removed a patient’s testicle by mistake! Being male, this really doesn’t bare thinking about and is an absolute tragedy of a story to be honest.
According to the source, Dr Sulieman Al Hourani was supposed to be removing nothing more than a cyst when he instead removed the entire right testicle of a man known only as Patient A during surgery at Fairfield General Hospital in Bury in September 2007. The surgeon has been found guilty of misconduct by a General Medical Council fitness practice panel following this terrible error.
According to the report, medical notes were clear in stating that the procedure was to remove a right epidermal cyst. In fact, at the disciplinary hearing, it was heard that the doctor in question had once injected himself with 2mg of midazolam, a “powerful sedative”, which was meant for the patient back in August 2006. Kind of begs the question how he managed to continue practising after this period if you ask me!
Reportedly hospital staff told that he was appeared unsteady on his feet following the injection incident and was later found in a deep sleep in the doctors mess room, and subsequently taken to A+E. This apparently triggered his “final warning” before he was eventually dismissed by his employers, Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, in October 2007 following to allegations he stole two boxes of dihydrocodeine tablets.
So in this instance the consequence of the medical negligence is, well, completely life altering for the victim patient. When we put our lives and bodies in the care of medical staff we expect professional assistance and treatment. To end up losing an important part of the human anatomy due to the recklessness of a doctor is blatant negligence; and the doctor and the NHS Trust in question are liable for the consequences.
Medical negligence claims are often complex and difficult in nature, and a lot of work needs to be done when going forward with these types of cases. In this instance it is quite obvious to tell that there is negligence involved.
With any case for medical negligence, it’s important to seek representation from an expert independent personal injury lawyer in order to get the best out of your claim for compensation.