Please click on the following links to read the following case reports:
G - v - Gwent Healthcare NHS Trust
D (Deceased)- v- NHS Trust
E-v-Royal United Hospital Bath NHS Trust
C-v-Royal United Hospital Bath NHS Trust: Radio-Frequency Endometrial Ablation: Uterine perforation, burns to Bowel
G - v - Gwent Healthcare NHS Trust: Laparascopic cholecystectomy – negligent clipping and division of common hepatic duct leading to peritonitis, intra-abdominal adhesions and acute renal dysfunction – reconstructive hepaticojejeunostomy
On 14th August 2002 G was referred by her GP to surgeons at the Nevill Hall Hospital with abdominal cramps, vomiting and pain. An ultrasound revealed a shrunken gall bladder with multiple calculi and a diagnosis of chronic cholecystitis was made. G was seen by Mr G, a consultant surgeon, and was listed for a laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
On 14th April 2003, Mr G began the gall bladder operation laparoscopically but then became confused over the anatomy and converted to an open procedure by way of a right subcostal incision.
Post-operatively, the Claimant was thought to be well although she was in pain and had to use patient-controlled analgesia. It was intended to discharge G on 16th April 2003, but then on 17th April it was noticed that she was jaundiced. Liver function tests showed a raised bilirubin at 43 and a raised ATL at 100. The C-reactive protein was raised at 160.
D (Deceased) - v - NHS Trust: Delay in diagnosis of bowel cancer
Mr D saw his GP in early 1999 suffering from bloating, constipation, loss of appetite and weight loss. He was diagnosed as having diverticular disease and was treated with laxatives. His symptoms continued to persist along with a chest infection that would not improve with antibiotics.
During 2000 and 2001, Mr D saw various consultants who conducted tests in order to determine the cause of his continuing bowl problems and persistent chest infection. By this stage, Mr D was also suffering from nausea and was vomiting black liquid and by June 2001his weight had plummeted by over five stone.
Mr D was admitted to hospital in October 2001 and following surgery it was discovered that Mr D was suffering from bowel cancer. Despite chemotherapy treatment Mr D died the following year.
Although earlier diagnosis of Mr D's condition would not have prolonged his life, earlier diagnosis and treatment would have provided him with a better quality of life until he died.
We pursued a claim of negligence against the healthcare trust on the basis that the Mr D's symptoms had not been fully investigated. If Mr D's condition been properly investigated the cancer should have been detected by December 2000 and appropriate treatment would have spared Mr D from 9 to 10 months of acute abdominal pain.
The claim was settled for a total of £8,500.
This case was handled by Simon Elliman, a Partner in our Bath office.
E-v-Royal United Hospital Bath NHS Trust
E underwent an appendix operation at which time a 1inch piece of plastic was left inside his body. The presence of this foreign body was not diagnosed, and its removal undertaken, until 1 year after the operation.
During that year E suffered ongoing abdominal pain and vomiting which affected his ability to work as a self-employed lorry driver, and also ruined his Wedding day and honeymoon.
The claim settle for the sum of £8,500, representing £5,500 for 1 year of pain and suffering and £3,000 for financial losses for that same year.
C-v-Royal United Hospital Bath NHS Trust: Radio-Frequency Endometrial Ablation: Uterine perforation, burns to Bowel
During the Summer of 1993, after 6 months of progressively heavier and more painful menstrual periods, Mrs C, a 33 year old Estate Agent, sought medical advice from Mr. S, a Consultant Gynaecologist Obstetrician at the Royal United Hospital NHS Trust in Bath. After a trial of hormonal therapy, because Mrs C had completed her family, two alternatives were put to her. she could have a hysterectomy, but she was not prepared to contemplate a hysterectomy, because of her age. In the alternative, a new procedure: Radio Frequency Endometrial Ablation (RaFEA) was proposed.
Click here to view the full case report
