Leeds Hospital Halts Children’s Heart Surgery
Leeds General Infirmary has suspended all congenital cardiac surgery on youngsters to allow an internal review to take place following concerns about high mortality rates and the quality of care.
Maggie Boyle, the chief executive of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said:
“Following discussions earlier today with senior representatives from NHS England and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) the trust has agreed to carry out an internal review, independently validated and supported by external experts. We have taken the decision to temporarily pause children’s congenital cardiac surgery and associated interventions while this review is conducted, a process we would aim to complete in around three weeks.”
Why The Closure?
Concerns have been raised about high mortality rates and the quality of care. Whether there have been any occurrences of medical negligence which could result in the payment of medical negligence compensation should be established by the internal review.
What Is Medical Negligence?
David Healey from Carter & Carter Solicitors in Stockport gives a brief overview:
Medical Negligence is also referred to as Clinical Negligence. Medical Negligence cases have traditionally been difficult to prove although the situation seems to be improving and Claimants (people making the claims) are regularly succeeding in medical negligence claims both in Court and out of Court settlements.
In order to successfully pursue a medical negligence claim you must be able to establish 3 elements:-
1. Liability
The burden is always on a Claimant in a medical negligence claim to prove that the medical care that was received fell below the standard to be expected of a “reasonably competent and skilful specialist” in the particular field in which they were being treated.
It is necessary for a Claimant to receive medical evidence from appropriate medical experts in the field which is under consideration, advising that:-
- The treatment actually received by the Claimant fell below the standard to be expected of a reasonably competent and skilful specialist in that field
- There is no other reasonable body of opinion in that field that would consider the treatment given by the Claimant fell within acceptable boundaries
2. Causation
Once you have a medical report which identifies negligence in the medical treatment, it is necessary to show that as a result of the negligent treatment there has been quantifiable loss or damage.
3. Quantum
Compensation in medical negligence or personal injury accidents are divided into 2 categories. As a Claimant you must prove that you are entitled to 1 or both.
a) General damages:
These are awarded to compensate the Claimant for pain, suffering and loss of amenity or quality of life taking into account the duration and severity of the suffering.
b) Special Damages:
They are awarded to compensate the Claimant for any financial loss which has occurred as a result of negligence. Examples include loss of earnings, travelling expenses, prescription charges, etc.
Do You Want To Know More?
If you want to find out more from our website about medical negligence compensation claims, simply click here.
What We Can Do For You
We are medical negligence compensation Solicitors and specialise in dealing with medical negligence claims and claiming medical negligence compensation. We will run your medical negligence compensation claim against the responsible person or body to ensure that you receive the maximum amount of medical negligence compensation.
What To Do Now
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