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A private healthcare provider has been fined after it was found that it failed to notify patients of potential treatment failures and problems within a reasonable period of time. The Spire Healthcare court case has now led to a fine of £5,000 for the firm, which was also ordered to pay almost £15,000 in court costs.

The care provided by Michael Walsh, a former orthopaedic surgeon, was reviewed within Spire Healthcare in 2017 and later by an orthopaedic consultant in 2018. It has been reported that four affected patients were not made aware of the potentially negligent care until at least several months after the concerns were said to have been raised.

It is concerning that Spire Hospital Leeds delayed giving information to patients for so long, leaving them unaware of the reasons behind the pain they may have been experiencing following potentially harmful procedures. Healthcare organisations should always be transparent when it comes to medical negligence investigations, or they risk worsening the health and wellbeing of affected patients.

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In recent years, concerns about the safety of pelvic mesh implants have been raised after many women began coming forward to report the complications they had suffered. While many women have already come to us to make claims, we believe that there are still many more pelvic mesh compensation claims to be brought on the basis of medical negligence.

Used to treat pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence, the mesh implants had long been perceived as an essential form of treatment, but now guidelines have been adjusted to ensure they are only used in a minority of cases. Nevertheless, it is unforgivable that pelvic mesh implants were, and to some extent still are, regarded as safe, given that they have caused irreversible damage to the health and well-being of many patients.

We believe these injustices must be accounted for, which is why we encourage anyone who has suffered the effects of mesh implants to come forward for advice on their potential claim.

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In childbirth, both the safety of the mother and the baby are at stake. Fortunately, modern medicine means that giving birth is much safer than it used to be. However, sometimes, in cases where severe mistakes are made, the baby can suffer childbirth brain injuries. In fact, when babies suffer trauma to their heads at this early stage in their development, the effects can last for the rest of their lives.

Where the long-lasting implications of a brain injury have been caused by medical negligence, victims may be able to claim compensation.

As specialist injury lawyers, we understand the injustice that you may feel if your child’s life has been vastly altered due to medical mistakes. We believe that you have every right to feel this way, which is why we will support you every step of the way to make sure you receive the legal support that you and your loved ones deserve.

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As one of the most prevalent, life-threatening medical conditions, cancer demands a high quality of care and treatment to ensure that patients have the best chance of a recovery, or lives can be put at risk. An early diagnosis is also vital to ensure that the progression of the disease can be stopped in its tracks. In cases where the opportunity for early diagnosis or treatment is missed, patients may be able to claim compensation for cancer medical negligence cases.

In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, countless appointments, treatments and surgeries related to cancer have been cancelled or rescheduled, producing a knock-on impact on the overall effectiveness of NHS cancer treatment. While priorities may have had to change to meet the demands of controlling the virus, some have raised concerns that the pendulum has swung too far in this direction, potentially causing unnecessary harm to those affected.

Generally speaking, patients may still be well within their rights to make a compensation claim, so we can advise anyone who thinks they may have been affected by medical negligence related to cancer treatment.

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An inquiry looking at NHS maternity racism allegations has been launched following several high-profile research studies and testimonies revealing reported inherent bias in prenatal care.

It comes after a study published in January reportedly revealed the stark racial disparity in maternity care, with MBRRACE-UK finding that black women can be four times more likely to die in childbirth and pregnancy than white women. Further, women from Asian ethnic backgrounds can reportedly be subjected to twice the risk as well, and the risk of fatalities is said to be accompanied by poorer experiences when it comes to prenatal care also.

As specialists in medical negligence, it is worrying for us to hear that systemic racism could be unfairly affecting the standard of care in our health service. We believe healthcare injustices are wrong in any form and that, as this is not the first time the issue has been raised, the NHS must act quickly to review the alleged racial disparity in maternity care.

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In recent years, concerns have been growing surrounding the use of hernia mesh. A worrying number of patients have experienced complications following the implantation of hernia mesh, such that they are suffering from pain and injuries that are often irreversible. However, what many patients may not know is that they may be eligible to make a hernia mesh claim to recover compensation for any harm done to them.

Although there has previously been a pause on the use of pelvic surgical mesh, and the treatment is used less widely than it has been in past, there has not yet been a similar kind of recall for hernia mesh in the UK. Yet, when the worst does occur, the impact on the patient can be devastating.

Our specialist medical negligence lawyers at The Injury Lawyers are here to help those  affected by hernia mesh claim compensation to recover damages for their difficulties.

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Despite the fact a year has passed since the independent review into breast surgeon Ian Paterson and his treatment of patients, it is understood that hundreds of his former patients have yet to be contacted in the ongoing patient recall. It may be that approximately 6,500 of Paterson’s patients have been contacted, but a total of 11,000 may still need to be reviewed.

Paterson is currently serving a 20-year sentence after being convicted of wounding with intent. His unnecessary practices, such as mastectomy procedures that were not required, were not only dangerous, but also incredibly traumatic for the victims, leaving them with physical and mental scars.

We believe that it is not only Paterson who should be held accountable – the hospitals in which he worked in have a lot to answer for too. It is shocking that such treatments completely bypassed hospital management, and it suggests that systematic failings allowed Ian Paterson to get away with his harmful actions. As such, we believe that there are many of Paterson’s patients who may still be able to make a medical negligence claim. If you have been contacted by the hospital involved, or if you believe you have been affected, do not hesitate to contact us for advice on your potential claim.

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Many women are coming forward to make Essure compensation claims after suffering severe complications from the use of an Essure device.

Some women who have had Essure devices implanted, as a form of permanent birth control, have had to undergo further surgeries and treatments to remove the device. In some cases, it has fractured into small pieces inside them and the patient has had to have multiple surgeries to remove the fragments, some resulting in a full hysterectomy.

It has been estimated that 100,000 women in the UK may have had the Essure implant fitted, meaning tens of thousands of women could have suffered serious, lifelong complications as a result of potential clinical negligence and/or a lack of informed consent. We know what a devastating impact this can have on people’s lives and we are here to help you fight to get the justice you deserve by making Essure compensation claims.

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While hernia mesh is still widely regarded as a necessary medical treatment, a large number of patients have been subject to hernia mesh readmissions. Many have reported complications, including chronic pain, reduced mobility, organ perforation, and infections.

Indeed, with international guidelines suggesting that 1 in 10 patients will experience chronic pain following the treatment, it is unsurprising that there are many hernia mesh readmissions, in which patients require further reparative treatment or even a removal of the implant.

At The Injury Lawyers, we have been helping people with the ongoing controversy surrounding hernia mesh and vaginal mesh treatments for a long time. In our view, we find it incredibly concerning that the government and the NHS have yet to take more significant action regarding the use of mesh implants. While the treatments may be successful for many patients, this does not allay the suffering of those whose lives are turned upside down by the use of surgical mesh. We are here to support anyone who has experienced the adverse consequences of hernia mesh implants, as you may be entitled to claim compensation.

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Cancer Research UK has revealed that lung cancer referrals are said to be down 50% over the last few months due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

Fewer patients may be visiting their GP with lung cancer symptoms due to the similar nature of coronavirus symptoms, and this is seen as a cause for concern.

Cancer Research UK is said to be concerned not just about the apparent lack of lung cancer referrals, but also the lack of referrals for all types of cancer. They fear that the Government’s ‘stay home, protect the NHS, save lives’ messaging may have impacted people’s decision-making to visit their GP and, as a result, hindered early diagnosis of cancers and, perhaps, the outcome of treatments.

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