Data shows scalpels and drill bits left inside NHS patients

According to new analysis, there have been up to 100 cases of a foreign object left inside NHS patients.

 

Further, figures examined by the PA news agency show that some 407 “never events” – things deemed to be so serious they should never happen – were recorded by the NHS in England from April 2021 until March 2022, the equivalent of nearly eight every week.

 

The recorded events include:

 

98 cases of a foreign object being left inside a patient following a procedure

Vaginal swabs were left inside patients 32 times and surgical swabs 21 times

Other objects left inside patients included part of a pair of wire cutters

One woman had her ovaries removed by mistake when the plan was to conserve them

Six patients had injections to the wrong eye

The wrong hip implant was undergone 12 times and the wrong knee implant 11 times.

 

Never Events are defined by the NHS as “serious, largely preventable patient safety incidents that should not occur if healthcare providers have implemented existing national guidance or safety recommendations.”

 

A spokesperson from the Department of Health and Social Care said “Patient safety is a top priority for the Government and these unfortunate events – although very rare – can have a serious physical and psychological impact on patients.”

 

Chadwick Lawrence’s specialist team of clinical negligence lawyers have years of experience in medical negligence claims, providing support and guidance after life-changing events.  Not only do we represent clients in Yorkshire, but because of our reputation we also represent clients nationally.

 

If you believe that you or a relative may have been injured as a result of clinical/medical negligence, please call for free legal advice from our medical negligence solicitors on the freephone number below.

 

Posted by Tony May, Partner/head of Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

 

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