Breast Implant Rupture

Around 40,000 women in the UK have had breast implants produced by Poly Implant Prostheses (PIP).  

The announcement from the French authorities calling for the implants to be removed has caused an international health scare.  The French authorities believe there is an increased chance of the implants rupturing and leading to complications.

On the 23rd December 2011 the French authorities advised all its citizens who have had PIP implant to have them removed and the French Government would pay for the full cost of the procedure. 

ABOUT PIP BREAST IMPLANTS

The supplier of the implant, Poly Implant Prostheses is based in the south of France, and had been using to secure financial saving, industrial grade silicone, normally used for filling mattresses and computer parts, instead of medical grade silicone. 

The cheap implants rupture rate runs at 5%, although it is estimated that this could rise to as high as 10%. This is much higher than other implant rupture figures.

The company went into administration in 2010 and the use of its products has since been banned.  

THE SITUATION IN THE UK

In the UK it was announced yesterday that those who have had the implants through the NHS would be permitted to return and to the NHS for removal.  The Government has called on private providers to do likewise.

HOW DO YOU KNOW IF THE IMPLANT HAS RUPTURED

Often you may notice deflation of the implant by a change in the shape or size of the breast. This can happen slowly over a few days, but can often happen very suddenly.

In many cases a rupture may not be noticed without the need of an MRI scan, as many silicone based implants will not leak in the same way as saline based implants, due mainly to the gel inside the implant.

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?

If you have had these implants you should consult with your GP immediately.

HOW CAN OUR TEAM OF EXPERTS HELP?

The MJP Clinical Negligence Team has many years' experience of successfully winning harmful product claims.

Our expert advice has helped us our team to be mentioned in The Legal 500.

Our lawyers have successfully recovered compensation for victims of other pharmaceutical products and medical devices.

For a FREE private consultation call Sara Westwood on 01603877000 or email sarawestwood@m-j-p.co.uk

Are hospitals doing enough to prevent avoidable thrombosis?

The NHS, writes Simon Bransby,  is paying out millions of pounds in clinical negligence claims because hospitals are failing to spot life-threatening blood clots.

New figures show that since 2005 the health service has spent £112m compensating patients who have suffered an avoidable thrombosis.

According to thrombosis charity Lifeblood, just 30 of the 159 hospital trusts in England meet the mandatory goal of risk-assessing at least 90% of patients admitted to hospital.

That means 4.5 million patients a year miss out on potentially life-saving assessments that could prevent clots.

Simple measures such as compression stockings and blood-thinning drugs can reduce the risk of clots in high-risk patients, such as those having surgery.

David Jones, Senior Partner and Head of the Clinical Negligence Department at Norwich specialist clinical negligence solicitors Morgan Jones & Pett explains “These figures are not surprising. My firm regularly handle claims against the NHS for claims arising out of a failure to spot blood clots. It is well known that thrombosis prevention guidelines are in place and it is not difficult, with the right tests, to ensure that these life threatening conditions are spotted.”

David Jones adds: "It is evidently more sensible to ensure that the right assessment and treatment is carried out, as it much more preferable and costs substantially less, to treat patients rather than paying them off when things go wrong."

MJP Solicitors have a specialist team of personal injury and clinical negligence injury claim experts who offer free legal advice about taking a claim, if you, a friend or relative have been in an accident or suffered from medical negligence please get in touch with MJP Solicitors to find out what to do next on 01603 877000

Cut NHS compensation payments for clinical negligence by encouraging the delivery of an early apology

There is no doubt that those working in the NHS are committed to their work and we have some of the most skilled and hard working doctors and nurses in the world. 

However as in most sectors even the most trained and skilled employee can make mistakes/omissions particularly under pressure.  Not all mistakes or failures lead to unnecessary death or injury.   Sometimes we may not even beware that an oversight, mistake or omission has occurred.

On those occasions when something does go wrong however we often left feeling aggrieved and lost.    In the main there is very little information given about the situation, we are often left for months not knowing what has happened and who was to blame.    Unfortunately not all doctors and nurses are versed in the skills of PR and general communication.  In fact, another of complaints and claims for compensation would never appear if communication with a patient was given the priority it deserves.

When something goes wrong the first thing we need to know that a problem has occurred, the consequences of that problem, and what the hospital or GP intends to do next.  On top of this, and perhaps as equally important, if not more, is the communication of an early apology.

The number of clients we see who say they would never have dreamt of consulting with us if the Hospital or GP had held up their arms admitted they had made a mistake and apologized.  In all walks of life an apology can go a long way.

Will the situation improve? Sadly no as with the austerity measures there is unlikely to more money pumped into the NHS and therefore the level of communication is likely to decrease rather than improve.

So the next time you hear about the money lawyers are taking out of the NHS with compensation payments and fees, please remember this article and make it known to you local MP that there would be less compensation payouts if more money was invested in the improvement of doctor/administrator/client communication.

Sara Westwood and David Jones are members of MJP Clinical Negligence Team and between them have over 30 years of experience in the sensitive and professional handling of compensation claims arising out of Hospital and GP mishaps.  They can be contacted on 01603877000 or by e-mail at davidjones@m-j-p.co.uk

David Pett who is a partner with Morgan Jones and Pett wrote this Blog Entry.  His role involves the supervision of the firm’s Residential Conveyancing Team.  He also runs the Business Development and IT Team. He can be contacted at davidpett@m-j-p.co.uk

Your feedback would be appreciated – davidpett@m-j-p.co.uk