NHS needs to learn from mistakes and improve reporting
- 20.09.2017
- EmmaArnold
- Clinical-negligence, Clinical-negligence
Medical negligence leading to cerebral palsy and other brain injuries could be reduced if reporting was at a higher standard.
A new report from NHS Resolution analysed 50 claims between 2012 and 2016 and found the number of patients born with cerebral palsy and brain injuries remained the same.
The re-branded NHS Resolution is the body responsible for handling compensation claims against an NHS Trust for clinical negligence.
The conclusion of the report deducted this static level was partly due to the fact that lessons within the NHS had not been learnt even though the NHS must notify of all cases of possible brain injury within 30 days.
Quality of the investigations were found to be very pool with very little training for investigators..
An external reviewer was only brought in to look into mistakes in just 4% of the cases and patients and their families only involved in 40% of investigations.
Hannah Bottomley, clinical negligence solicitor at Potter Rees Dolan, said:
The report's findings, whilst sadly not surprising, are still shocking in that essentially serious injuries being suffered by children at birth have the possibility of being avoided if hospitals learnt from the mistakes made during similar events.
Dealing with children who have suffered devastating injuries at birth, I know only too well that the consequences of these repeated mistakes can have ramifications not just for an individual but for a whole family and, sometimes, a whole community. The importance of learning from our mistakes is something which we have drilled into us but it seems shameful that the NHS are not doing that when the consequences are so severe.
I hope this report by NHS Resolution leads to change, an overseeing body or independent input, such that lessons really do get learnt and we can avoid the devastating injuries being suffered.
Hannah Bottomley is a clinical negligence solicitor with Potter Rees Dolan. Should you have any queries about the issues raised in this article and wish to speak with Hannah or any other member of the clinical negligence team please contact us on 0161 237 5888 or email Hannah.