NHS 'Never Event' Compensation
The NHS has issued an updated list of what it considers to be 'never events' (i.e. events that should never happen in the course of healthcare provision in the UK).
'Never events'
A 'never event' can represent a major error in the administration of healthcare to a patient and can subsequently devastate the patient's life and long-term functioning.
The NHS continues to explore ways of reducing the occurrence of 'never events' but inevitably they continue to occur and patients suffer as a result.
Categories of 'never events'
Some of the incidents referred to as 'never events' include the following:
Wrong site surgery
This could include a wide range of surgical procedures such as operating on the wrong hand, the wrong limb, the wrong kidney or the wrong eye. It could also, for example, be using the incorrect site for breast cancer surgery.
Astonishingly, it could even include the amputation of the incorrect body part and operating on the wrong person.
Errors of this magnitude are likely to have a significant and long-term impact on the patient, possibly both physically and psychologically. Depending on the nature of the error, it may restrict the person's ability to work in certain fields of employment or to work at all.
Wrong implant or prosthesis
This would include using an implant or prosthesis other than that agreed and planned.
It could relate to a wide variety of implants such as contraceptive implants and intraocular implants.
Retained foreign object
This is where an object is left in the patient's body unintentionally following their surgical procedure. This could, for example, be a swab left inside a hysterectomy patient even though the intention had been to remove it.
It could even include leaving a surgical instrument or accessory inside the patient accidentally.
Medication errors
In some circumstances, a 'never event' also refers to the incorrect administration of medication whether in the dosage, the type or the method used to administer the medication.
Such an error may have only a slight impact on the patient or it could have a destructive and debilitating outcome.
Medical negligence
Events such as the above are clearly examples of negligence by medical professionals.
If the patient suffers a significant, long-term impact due to a 'never event', it may be worth considering making a claim for compensation.
Talk to a solicitor
If you or a loved one are suffering significant the long-term effects of a 'never event' occurrence, contact us today to discuss your situation with a specialist medical negligence solicitor.
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For a free, no-obligation enquiry, contact us at Glynns Solicitors. We are located between Bath and Bristol, and act for victims of medical error across England and Wales.
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