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
