Negligence at an out-of-hours hospital surgery in Barnsley
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Stephen Webber,
Partner and Head of the top ranked Clinical
Negligence Team at leading Welsh firm Hugh James solicitors,
has given reaction to an apparent case of clinical negligence at an
out-of-hours surgery in Barnsley.
The patient, a 16 year old student visited the
out-of-hours surgery suffering from pain and redness in her leg.
The examining doctor informed the patient that she may be suffering
from either an infection or a blood clot. The patient was sent home
with antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs, and was told to make
an appointment with a GP if the discomfort continued.
After returning home the young student
continued to suffer pain and discomfort and 12 hours after being
sent home from the out-of-hours surgery she collapsed and died
following a suspected blood clot.
Stephen Webber of
the Hugh James Medical Negligence team says, “This
is clearly a very concerning incident and will require
further investigation to understand how such an incident was
allowed to occur. There are too many cases of misdiagnosis
involving out of hours services. The current economic climate means
that appropriate funding isn’t being provided to ensure patients
are seen by experienced, qualified doctors who are able to provide
correct treatment. It’s always heartbreaking to hear of a
preventable fatality, our thoughts are with family at this
difficult time”.