2019 - 2020 NHS Never Events
Being the victim of a 'Never Event' during medical treatment can be traumatic. If it causes long-term problems, it may be appropriate to make a claim for compensation.
Never Events in Healthcare
The list of 'Never Events' which occurred in the NHS during the period 2019 - 2020 demonstrates the wide range of incidents which can occur during healthcare procedures.
What is termed a 'never event' is precisely that. An event which, ordinarily, should never happen.
Examples of this are carrying out a procedure on a patient other than the one for whom the procedure was intended. Carrying out a procedure to the incorrect part of the body would also be considered a 'never event' such as injecting the wrong knee or removing the wrong toe.
Unintentionally leaving a piece of surgical equipment in the patient after their procedure is also, not surprisingly, considered to be a 'never event'. A patient should not find that a surgical needle or a guide line has been accidentally left inside them during surgery.
Other forms of 'never event' include the following:
- Use of the wrong implant or prosthesis
- The incorrect administration of medication
- Incorrect use of an air flowmeter
- Incompatible blood transfusion
The data for 2019 - 2020 shows 218 occurrences of wrong site surgery over an 11-month period. In addition, there were 90 instances where a 'foreign object' was retained in the patient following a procedure.
Medical negligence
These figures serve to show that although 'never events' do happen, they are fairly rare in comparison with the number of procedures which take place across the NHS each year.
However, if you are the victim of such an event, the impact can be devastating.
A recent client, who had been left with a large piece of plastic in his abdomen following surgery, required significant subsequent surgery to resolve the damage caused, including the creation of a stoma.
The impact on a patient's life, practically, physically, psychologically and financially, of such an occurrence can be dramatic.
If the patient is left unable to work, even for short period of time, they may suffer significant financial losses.
If their on-going difficulties are due to medical failings, it may be appropriate to make a claim for compensation for those financial losses.
Speak to a solicitor
If you or a loved one are struggling with the long-term impact of a significant failure in medical care, contact Glynns Solicitors to discuss your experience with a specialist medical negligence solicitor.
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