Accident and Emergency Failings Leave Our Client With CES Disability
Experiencing a flare-up of previous back pain, Sarah spoke to her GP who advised exercise and analgesia.
Two days later, she woke to find that she was experiencing pins and needles and loss of sensation around the left buttock, inner thigh and vagina. She also realised that she was having to strain to pass urine.
A call with another doctor at her surgery led to advice for Sarah to attend Accident and Emergency immediately and to ask for an MRI scan.
Our medical experts have pointed out that, at this time, Sarah was experiencing two red flag symptoms for cauda equina compression: she had new onset disturbance of her bladder function and numbness around the thigh and vagina suggestive of saddle anaesthesia.
These symptoms should have prompted a referral for an MRI scan that day which should have triggered surgery to decompress the nerve. With successful decompression at this time, Sarah should have recovered fully from her cauda equina syndrome symptoms.
Unfortunately, this is not what happened.
Although the triage nurse recorded Sarah's symptoms and although an examination and a bladder scan were carried out, Sarah's loss of saddle sensation and difficulty passing urine were missed. She was discharged with advice to return to her GP who subsequently made a routine referral for an MRI scan.
A failure by the medical practitioners in Accident and Emergency to refer Sarah immediately to a specialist team was regarded by our medical experts as substandard care.
In the meantime, however, alarmed by new symptoms in her left foot, Sarah returned to hospital approximately three weeks later.
This time, the severity of Sarah's symptoms were recognised as possibly indicating cauda equina compression. An MRI scan was arranged for the following day which did, indeed, reveal damage to the nerves, and Sarah underwent surgery the next day.
The failings which occurred in Sarah's first attendance at Accident and Emergency have meant that she now suffers with incapacitating and extremely distressing symptoms which should not have been the case with appropriate medical care.
Continuing weakness and symptoms in her left leg and foot have caused reduced mobility and limited what Sarah is able to do both in the home and in terms of outside activities. Although she previously enjoyed long walks and going to the gym, these activities are now completely beyond Sarah's capabilities. She also experiences problems with both bladder and bowel function which require careful management.
The severity of her symptoms has, not surprisingly, caused Sarah considerable distress, leaving her feeling exhausted and reluctant to leave her home.
After Glynns had concluded their investigation into the quality of her care and the impact of the negligence on Sarah's health and life, she was awarded compensation in excess of £1million to help to address the challenges which she faces now and will continue to face into the future.
(Details which might identify our client have been changed.)
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