This week, it has come to light that more than 200 patients treated at the Liverpool Women’s Hospital are suing one of the consultants there for negligent treatment.
The BBC states (source) that all the women went to the hospital for treatment for incontinence and have come out with symptoms significantly worse that they had before the operation. Some had minor urinary incontinence and left the hospital suffering with double incontinence affecting both their bladder and their bowels.
Incontinence is a common problem in the UK, particularly found in women following childbirth, but the fact that it is common does not lessen the serious effects that it can have on people’s lives. This is a humiliating condition which, when severe, can dictate what the sufferer is able to do. Many patients must forward-think their day to ensure that they are never too far from a toilet and some people can almost feel housebound by the condition.
For a large number of sufferers who had sought help in Merseyside, they went to the Liverpool Women’s Hospital and found that their symptoms worsened following the treatment received there. The surgery was carried out by one of the Consultant Urogynaecologists, George Rowland, who is now being investigated by the General Medical Council. The case notes of over 600 patients are being re-evaluated and 200 of his patients are bringing claims against the hospital for the treatment received from Mr Rowland.
The Liverpool Women’s Hospital generally has a good reputation for the services provided there and has received either a ‘Good’ or ‘Excellent’ official performance rating in the past 4 consecutive years. The chief executive, Kathryn Thomson, has stressed in an interview to the BBC that these issues do only relate to one of their consultants. However, it would seem from the vast number of women involved that this individual was allowed to practice at a substandard unnoticed for far too long.
So, what should you do if you have been affected by treatment you believe to be substandard?
It is clear from the story above that it is important that a complaint is made and that practitioners providing inadequate treatment or advice are fully investigated. A complaint can be made to the NHS Trust responsible for the hospital and an investigation will take place. You may receive an apology from the hospital but you will not receive any compensation through taking this route. Often, when you have been a victim of poor treatment, you will suffer additional pain and suffering and financial loss as a result. In order that you receive compensation to cover this loss, you should contact a solicitor who specialises in medical negligence to bring a claim against the practitioner involved. Should you require any further information on making a claim, please do hesitate to contact The Injury Lawyers with details of your experience.
