Timely and effective medical care in Accident & Emergency departments is critical, particularly when it comes to making a significant difference in patient outcomes. However, due to the high-pressure environment and the increasing challenges experienced by the NHS, negligence can occur, leading to serious consequences for patients.

As a parent, seeing your child suffer due to medical negligence in A&E can be very distressing. If your child has been affected by negligent care in hospital, you may have the right to make a claim on their behalf.

Losing a loved one to cancer is a truly awful experience. It can be made even more difficult in the event that there was a delay in diagnosis or treatment that contributed to their death. In such cases, you may have the right to make a legal claim on their behalf.

Unfortunately, delays in cancer diagnosis and treatment is becoming increasingly common and can significantly impact a patient's health and prognosis. There are several common factors that, in some cases, can contribute towards these delays.

Cancer is a complex disease that requires both a timely diagnosis and treatment. Unfortunately, delays in diagnosing or treating cancer are not uncommon and can have significant consequences for patients.

Maternity care is a cornerstone of any healthcare system, ensuring the well-being of both mothers and newborns during one of life's most critical periods. However, recent findings from a parliamentary inquiry have cast a harsh light on the state of maternity care in British hospitals, revealing a worrying trend of substandard care that demands urgent attention and reform. As specialists in medical negligence cases, Nash & Co Solicitors in Plymouth are committed to advocating for victims of poor maternity care and ensuring they receive the compensation they deserve.

In Plymouth, the situation in accident and emergency (A&E) departments, especially at Derriford Hospital, has reached a critical level. Recent data has revealed that Plymouth has the dubious distinction of having the longest A&E waiting times in the country. Alarmingly, nearly two-thirds (65.5%) of patients visiting Type 1 A&Es in the region are forced to endure waits of over four hours. Such prolonged delays can have severe repercussions on the health outcomes and overall well-being of patients.

In the bustling emergency departments across England, a silent crisis unfolds—one that has led to more than 250 needless deaths every week. You may have seen this mentioned on BBC News this weekend. This alarming statistic, derived from a comprehensive analysis by the Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM), sheds light on the dire consequences of prolonged wait times in Accident and Emergency (A&E) units. This blog post delves into the heart of the issue, exploring the impact of these delays on patient safety and the healthcare system at large.

“The detriments that people experience are significant and should not be happening.” These are the chastening words of Rob Behrens, the NHS Ombudsman for England.

This International Women's Day, we're highlighting the journeys, challenges, and experiences of our female lawyers. Their stories show the importance of diversity, resilience, and empowerment in shaping an inclusive legal community. Rebecca Brisley, Associate Solicitor in our Personal Injury and Medical Negligence teams, shares her thoughts below.

A recent BBC article, published late last week, sheds light on the situation, revealing that cancer treatment waiting times in England have reached their highest levels ever recorded. The statistics are alarming, with nearly 100,000 patients waiting more than the two-month target for starting treatment. This represents a significant escalation from historical data, driven by a complex interplay of factors that demand a closer examination. It’s also obviously a real worry for patients and their survival rates.

Dr. Henrietta Hughes, the Patient Safety Commissioner, has today released an important report that looks into the serious effects of sodium valproate on patients and their families. This report, known as the Hughes Report, not only highlights the failures in healthcare and regulation related to valproate use but also suggests a detailed plan for sodium valproate compensation and supporting those who have been harmed.

Sodium Valproate Syndrome is a serious issue that seriously affects children and their families, when the mother has taken sodium valproate drugs during pregnancy. We're committed to helping everyone understand more about it, showing how it impact the child and their family, and helping to guide those affected through their legal options.

Whilst there has been a lot of publicity recently about the use of Sodium Valproate in epilepsy sufferers, and the effects that this medication can have on an unborn baby, is it less well known that this medication can also be prescribed to patients suffering from Bipolar Disorder and migraines.

Thousands of women with epilepsy have given birth to babies with disabilities. Despite guidelines to the contrary, many women of childbearing age have been prescribed Sodium Valproate, (otherwise known as Epilim) resulting in babies born with autism, congenital anomalies and neurodevelopmental difficulties which can lead to cognitive and social impairments. The umbrella term for this is Fetal Valproate Syndrome (FVS) and can be used to describe a number of different impairments.

This is a statutory duty that applies to all health and care professionals to be open and honest with patients and people in their care when something goes wrong with their treatment. What does this mean and is it being applied?

You cannot hear a headline or read a newspaper without mention of terrible birth experiences suffered by expectant mothers, often sadly ending in catastrophic consequences. A report has been published detailing spiraling issues in NHS maternity services, including dangerously low staffing levels.

It will come as no surprise to hear that NHS cancer services are under increasing pressure. New figures released in September 2023 confirm that NHS targets for urgent suspected cancer referrals continue to be missed.

A premature birth can be an emotional whirlwind — filled with concern and anxiety. For families navigating premature birth, it's crucial to understand that support is there for you, both medically and legally.

When considering whether you are able to make a claim for clinical negligence it is always important to contact a specialist lawyer who should, in the first instance, let you know whether your enquiry relates to poor medical care, or whether there has potentially been a negligent act or omission.