With illnesses surging over the winter period, the NHS is under significant pressure, to the point where they have urged the government to take action.
Senior doctors have described the NHS as being on a ‘knife edge[1]’. Recent strikes throughout the NHS have led to patients struggling to get appointments, hospital bed and surgeries.
It has recently been reported by the BBC that patients are having to sleep outside of hospitals and in their cars due to the lack of hospital beds available. Even where people are only going to A&E in extreme circumstances, there still appears to be an ever-mounting pressure on A&E departments throughout the UK.
Recent pressures are having a significant impact on patient’s health throughout the UK where people are either failing to get the treatment they require or the same is being delayed.
In certain circumstances, where people don’t get the treatment they require on time, this can have a substantial impact on health. For example, where cancer referrals (which should be a two week wait) are not being dealt, this can result in delays in diagnosis and in extreme circumstances the exacerbation of the cancer.
If you think that you have suffered as a result of the continued pressures within the NHS you may be entitled to make a claim for clinical negligence.
Who can bring about a claim?
The patient who has been affected may be able to bring about a claim. However, it can also sadly be the case that the patient has passed as a result of the delay. In such instances, the executor of the estate or the next of kin/dependents may be able to bring about a claim.
Our specialist team will be able to discuss whether you have a right to bring about a claim, so if you or a loved one has been affected do not hesitate to contact us.
How much would my claim be worth?
It is often difficult to value clinical negligence claims at their outset given the complexities involved however we will pursue two forms of compensation for you:
- General damages – an award of money for the pain and suffering you have endured as a result of the negligence.
- Special damages – an award of money for all of your out of pocket expenses such as travel expenses, medication costs, loss of earnings, treatment costs both past and future. This list is not exhaustive and is very case-specific.
Why choose Oakwood Solicitors?
We have a dedicated team of solicitors and paralegals who have many years’ experience between them in running cases of this nature. They are highly trained to deal with all aspects of clinical and medical negligence.
Oakwood Solicitors Ltd wishes to ensure that clients are not overwhelmed by legal jargon or medical terms that they don’t understand and aims to allow the claims procedure to be as transparent as possible.
Further reading
Medical misdiagnosis or delay – Oakwood Solicitors
[1] NHS: Government urged to take action over pressures – BBC News
WHAT TO DO NEXT
If you have been affected by lack of treatment or late diagnosis as a result of the increased delays within the NHS, or require any advice about legal proceedings, call us on 0113 200 9720 for a free initial consultation.
With illnesses surging over the winter period, the NHS is under significant pressure, to the point where they have urged the government to take action. Senior doctors have described the NHS as being on a ‘knife edge[1]’. Recent strikes throughout the NHS have led to patients struggling to get appointments, hospital bed and surgeries.…
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