Review of Hinchingbrooke Colorectal Services

Last autumn the Royal College of Surgeons carried out a review of Hinchingbrooke Hospital's (HHCT) colorectal services. The report, which arose after a particular patient incident, has now been published alongside a series of recommendations. We take a closer look at the issues highlighted in the review, helping you understand what amounts to substandard colorectal care and explaining what you can do if you have been injured as a result.

Colorectal review conclusions

In response to a series of complaints regarding the quality and safety of the colorectal service, the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) has undertaken a review and identified the following areas of concern:-

There is a failure to identify and refer patients who might best be treated elsewhere, or via a different treatment plan;
There is a poorly functioning multi-disciplinary team (MDT);
There is no routine communication between nurses and anaesthetists regarding patients at-risk to anaesthetic;
Procedures are performed laparoscopically regardless of patient characteristics;
There is no formal process in place for booking complex cases, nor is there adequate theatre time for dealing with complex cases;
Systems and processes for monitoring deteriorating patients are deficient;
The teaching and training of junior surgeons in the colorectal team needs improvement;
The quality of the Serious Untoward Incident (SUI) reports are inadequate;
There is a lack of strong medical and managerial leadership.

Substandard colorectal care

Hinchingbrooke Health Care Trust has acknowledged these findings and is now implementing the RCS's recommendations. Nevertheless, this will be of little comfort to the families of those injured as a direct result of the substandard level of colorectal care.

However, if this has happened to you or a loved one, there might be something you can do. Firstly, you should make an official complaint to the Trust in question. Secondly, you should speak to a legal expert, as you could be entitled to make a claim for compensation.

Anyone harmed as a result of medical error has a legal right to make a medical negligence claim. To find out whether this or not this applies to you, you need to speak to a medical negligence solicitor who will be able to suggest what options are available to you. If you do make a claim which is then successful, you will be awarded a sum of money recompense for the pain and suffering caused, as well as the acute financial loss you have incurred.

Contact a solicitor today

If you would like more advice on making a claim for poor colorectal medical care, you need to contact a solicitor who specialises in medical negligence claims. It is a complicated area of the law, so you need a legal expert who has the necessary skill and expertise to deal with your claim. Furthermore, you should not delay in seeking legal advice, as claims often have to be made within three years of the incident; if you leave it too long, you may find you have run out of time.

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