It feared that mistakes are being repeated due to the blame culture and staff are therefore closing ranks in order to protect themselves and colleagues; being too afraid to speak out in case doing so affects their future careers.
The NHS has recently unveiled a new strategy to encourage and improve the reporting of mistakes and provide more support for those who do so.
The NHS continues to work under increased pressure due to an ageing population, cuts to budgets for social care, staff shortages and changing lifestyle factors.
Whilst we should feel encouraged about the roll out of the new strategy there will undoubtedly be mistakes made that have a significant impact on patients and their families.
Errors can include:
- Prescription or incorrect drug administration mistakes causing injury, illness or death
- Errors made during surgery such as medical instruments or swabs left in the body, surgery being carried out on the wrong site, anaesthetic mistakes
- Cancer misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis
- Child birth injuries
- Inadequate warning provided regarding the risks of having a procedure done
- Delayed and and/or misdiagnosis
- Fatalities
- Botched cosmetic surgery
- Cerebral palsy caused at birth
- Pressure sores
- Hospital acquired infections
- Delayed diagnosis and treatment of septicaemia and meningitis
If you or a family think that you have been the victim of a mistake made by the NHS, please contact our Medical Negligence solicitors today to discuss making a claim:
Darren White – Partner / Solicitor / Head of Medical Negligence and Personal Injury Departments
Rebekah Baty – Litigation Executive
Catherine Pinnegar – Solicitor
Exeter: 01392 285000 Cullompton: 01884 33818 Newton Abbot: 01626 330127