Increased figures in NHS Never Events

A “Never Event” is the type of mistake that should never happen to you when you are having medical treatment. Unfortunately, this happens far too frequently despite numerous processes put in place by the NHS, often due to human error.

A recent example of this was recently reported at Leicester Royal Infirmary by ITV News.

In October 2017 we published an article detailing the statistics for the period of 1 April 2016 to 31 March 2017 which indicated that 424 incidents were reported to the NHS. Sadly, these figures have not improved with reported incidents between 1 April 2018 and 28 February 2019 increasing to 451.

The team here at Spencers have extensive experience of dealing with the effects of such incidents and have represented patients making claims against the NHS in a variety of cases including instances of excessive amounts of anaesthesia being administered during surgery, swabs and instruments being left in the patient following surgery sometimes not being identified as present for years, scalding of patients resulting in severe burns and treatment being administered to the wrong limb.

In our experience, one of the most fundamental things a client seeks to establish is why the error occurred and this can often be the most difficult thing to establish, even with the current “duty of candour” which requires treatment providers to be open and transparent with patients in respect of their care and treatment.

We, as a team, are committed to assisting clients in getting answers & providing support at what is often the most difficult and stressful time of their lives, with the aim of putting things right.

About the Author
Amy, who qualified as a Chartered Legal Executive in 2001 and as a Solicitor in 2007, has more than 20 years experience in civil litigation. Amy now manages the Complex Injury Team which deals with serious and major injuries, including traumatic brain injury, spinal injury, fatal claims and clinical negligence.