There has been a rise in the number of people needing hospital treatment for surgical mistakes.
Between 2005 and 2015, the number of patients being admitted to hospital because of surgical errors increased from 2,193 to 6,082.
The data, released annually by NHS Digital, relates to patients who have attended hospital due to an “unintentional cut, puncture, perforation or haemorrhage during surgical and medical care.”
It includes patients who required NHS care after having surgery at a private hospital, and those who were readmitted for continuing complications.
“Really bad errors that are perfectly avoidable”
Peter Walsh, chief executive of the charity Action Against Medical Accidents, said “inadequate staffing” and “increased pressure at work” were partly to blame.
He added: “Of course, it is a known risk of surgery that these things happen, but that doesn’t make it OK and much of the time they are really bad errors that are perfectly avoidable.”
“One of the most common mistakes we hear of during laparoscopic surgery is perforation of the bowel. That is very, very serious and can be fatal if not repaired very quickly.”
A spokesman for the Department of Health said: “NHS mistakes can lead to human suffering and tragedy.”
“That’s why this government has focused relentlessly on driving up standards through a safer, seven-day NHS, with extra support for staff to speak out honestly when things go wrong, and a tough new watchdog to probe patient incidents – the Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch.”
Have you suffered a surgical mistake?
If you have suffered wrongful injury as a result of a surgical mistake, please get in touch with us today at Glynns Solicitors.
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