Patient Awarded Seven-Figure Compensation After CES Diagnosis Opportunities Missed
Attending her GP with recurring lower back pain and sciatica symptoms, Natalie was prescribed pain relief but no scan was arranged to investigate the cause of her symptoms.
A couple of days later, returning to her GP with worsening symptoms, the outcome was the same.
Increasingly worried and in increasing pain, Natalie contacted the Out-of-Hours service another two days later, explaining that she was experiencing constant cramps in both legs. Although bilateral leg symptoms are a red flag of cauda equina compression, Natalie received no referral but was prescribed pain relief and anti-spasmodics.
Further diagnosis opportunities were missed until, almost a month later, an appointment with the physiotherapist raised such concerns that Natalie was advised that urgent treatment was needed.
She attended Accident and Emergency the following day where an MRI scan revealed a herniated disc compressing the cauda equina nerves and she underwent surgery the next day.
When Natalie first attended her GP, she was not suffering difficulties with either her bladder or her bowel. Unfortunately, during the extended delay and missed diagnosis opportunities, her symptoms worsened. Had she received appropriate care and undergone earlier surgery as a result, it is unlikely that she would now be suffering many of the problems which she faces every day.
As it is, she now struggles with her mobility and balance, using a crutch for support to walk and needing a wheelchair if she needs to go any distance. She suffers with constant pain and experiences bladder and bowel dysfunction.
During the course of our investigation, The Health Trust, under whose care Natalie experienced such poor quality management, admitted many of the key failings described and Natalie was awarded in excess of £1 million in recognition that she is unable to return to her previous work and requires assistance to carry out numerous tasks both inside the home and beyond.
(Details which might identify our client have been changed.)
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