Campaign to cut compensation to victims of medical negligence by leading doctors defence union

Oct 10, 2014 Medical Negligence

One of the country’s largest doctors’ defence unions has re-launched its campaign for changes in the law that would cut the amount of compensation recoverable for victims of medical negligence.

Last week Dr Christine Tomkins, chief executive of the Medical Defence Union said, “Medical compensation inflation is rising 10% each year and this is far above long-term retail, house or…

Sudden death following routine ear operation

Sep 30, 2014 Medical Negligence

Health Trust are criticised by grieving mother after her only son died weeks after attending hospital for an ear operation.

Peter McAneney was admitted in 2012 to Craigavon Area Hospital for an inner ear operation with a view to enhancing his hearing.

This was not a new procedure to him and he had undergone similar procedures in the past.

During the operation and without obtaining consent, a decision was taken…

Up to 10,000 people a year killed by poor NHS care

Sep 29, 2014 Medical Negligence

The head of the NHS regulator claims that the treatment provided by both hospitals and GPs is so “dangerously” inconsistent that poor care kills up to 10,000 patients a year.

David Prior, the chair of the Care Quality Commission (CQC), warns that “many patients receive poor care” leading to “many thousands” of avoidable deaths year on year. He states that this is an unacceptable situation that threatens the integrity of…

Paralysed but aware – new study reveals extent of anaesthetic awareness

Sep 23, 2014 Medical Negligence

The largest study into patients accidentally waking during general anaesthesia published this month has found around 150 patients a year report some degree of consciousness during surgery. Using this data, which has been compiled over a period of three years, researchers for the Royal College of Anaesthetists estimate around one in 19,000 operations under general anaesthetic result in some awareness.

Fortunately most patients do not experience pain but…

20% of child deaths preventable in England

Sep 15, 2014 Medical Negligence

The BBC have reported that around 5,000 children die each year, with 15-17 year olds having the highest proportion of preventable deaths from suicide, accidents, abuse and neglect.

A series of papers has been written by researches from the University of Warwick in conjunction with studies from worldwide universities.

Three reports have been published looking at deaths in high-income countries and they consider the patterns of child mortality.

The report…