Can I Sue the NHS for a Negligent Endoscopy?
If a negligent endoscopy has caused severe and long-term problems for you or a loved one, it might be appropriate to make a claim for compensation.
The function of endoscopies
Investigative procedures to assess the condition of a patient's digestive system are common in the UK. Colonoscopies and ERCPs are regularly used to examine the patient's upper and lower gastrointestinal tract from the oesophagus, the pancreas and the bile duct, through to the large intestine. These procedures are also sometimes used to carry out treatment.
Negligence
Occasionally, however, such procedures go wrong through negligence of the medical professionals involved and, sometimes, the outcomes are very severe. The patient may suffer a wide range of problems subsequent to damage caused by a negligent endoscopy such as bowel perforation, permanent digestive difficulties, sepsis or even death.
If you or a loved one are suffering significant and on-going difficulties due to a negligent endoscopy, it may be appropriate to talk to a specialist medical negligence solicitor about making a compensation claim.
Endoscopic procedures
An endoscopy involves the insertion of a tube into either end of the patient's digestive tract. This may be via the mouth or the anus depending on what part of the digestive system needs to be assessed. The tube carries a small light and camera which enables medical professionals to see inside the patient's body.
- A colonoscopy is where the tube is inserted via the anus to examine the patient's lower digestive tract.
- An ERCP is a procedure where the tube is inserted via the mouth and allows an assessment to be made of the patient's upper digestive tract including the pancreas, liver and bile duct.
An endoscopy always carries risks and a patient should be very carefully informed and consented before undertaking such a procedure.
If the procedure is not undertaken by a skilled professional or with sufficient care and expertise, there is the danger that the patient may suffer an injury to their digestive tract. This may be in the form of a bowel perforation or tear.
If such an incident should occur, it requires an immediate response from the medical practitioners. A bowel perforation can be life-threatening as it risks the patient developing an abdominal infection and sepsis.
- If a negligent procedure causes a bowel perforation, the relevant medical professional may be regarded as having provided substandard care
- If a bowel perforation is not diagnosed and treated promptly, leaving the patient with on-going problems, it may be appropriate to make a claim for compensation.
Legal advice
If you are suffering with permanent symptoms due to medical negligence related to an endoscopy, contact Glynns Solicitors today to talk to an experience medical negligence solicitor.
We are a specialist medical negligence practice and will be very happy to help you.
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