If you are a victim of medical or clinical negligence our highly experienced team of solicitors at Lanyon Bowdler can assist you in the event you wish to complain or seek compensation. For legal advice on making a clinical or medical negligence claim please contact Paula Nash, Head of Clinical Negligence or one of her team on 0800 954 9936.
The general surgeon is involved in all aspects of surgery many of which chose to specialise in one particular area some of which include:
• Cardiac
• Cosmetic
• Gastroenterology
• Gynaecology
• Neuro surgery
• Vascular
• Keyhole, Laparoscopic surgery
Keyhole surgery was pioneered eight years ago and has been heralded as the future for medicine, however the Royal College of Surgeons admits that keyhole surgery was introduced too quickly and without proper regulations and last year issued guidelines on its use. The initial insertion of the camera is performed blindly and can in itself lead to damage by rupturing a vital organ.
Common injuries reported in negligent surgery include:
• Damage to internal organs
• Poor results from surgery
• Damage to nerves during the surgery
• Retention of instruments
• Unnecessary surgical procedure
• Anaesthetic awareness
• Failure to gain necessary consent
The need to gain consent is enshrined in law, as well as being a central aspect of most professional codes of ethics. Patients must be given a thorough explanation of what will be done, the risks involved in going ahead or not going ahead with the proposed treatment, and information about alternatives to the treatment.
When giving consent, the patients decision must be voluntary and not subject to coercion. Failure to obtain consent is considered an extremely grave matter. If consent has not been obtained, and the user is harmed, they can sue the practitioner for medical negligence (for gaining inadequate consent). If the user has not been given any information or has been treated against their express wishes, they can sue the practitioner for battery (for not gaining consent at all).
For a free consultation call 0800 954 9936