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.

The medical field is constantly under pressure to maintain impeccable standards. With an increase in patient loads and varied complexities, the healthcare sector faces immense challenges.

When faced with a legal issue, the last thing you should be worried about is your financial situation. This is where a “no win, no fee” arrangement can be valuable in ensuring you receive what you are entitled to. Here is how no win, no fees cases work, and how they can help you.

We look into a recent case where a patient underwent surgery for a medical issue, but then issues persisted after the surgery. Was the surgeon to blame?

The Supreme Court has unanimously allowed a recent appeal and clarified the law in relation to the duty of care owed by non-medical staff in hospitals.