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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To effectively sue the nhs :/

184 replies

HarriwithanI · 01/12/2022 01:52

This is mega outing with my name and condition, If you know me please respect my privacy.
I work for the nhs but also been neglected massively.

after 10 days in the hospital I work in I lost all feeling from my hips down (couldn’t feel when I needed to wee or walk) was told it was my mental health and functional. Blue lighted to a specialist hospital turns out ecuda equida and basically I’m extremely lucky not to be paralysed.

WWYD? Feel so let down and when at a low emotionally and physically time everything was put down to weight and mental health when it was something that could’ve been/is seriously life changing. I don’t want it happen to anyone else

OP posts:
Original poster
HarriwithanI · 07/01/2023 06:57

Thank you both 💐I’ll check out that link.
so I did get in contact with solicitors and the hospital weren’t keen to share my notes. Haven’t heard anything since or chased it I’ll be honest. It’s been one thing after another with these scar infections, wound packing etc

OP posts:
spuddel · 07/01/2023 07:39

Put the request in writing to the hospital records people op.

"Requesting information from a hospital

For hospital health records, the individual should contact the records manager or patient services manager at the relevant hospital trust. You can find a list of hospital trusts on the NHS Choices website" pcse.england.nhs.uk/organisations/public/accessing-my-own-medical-records/

BabyFour2023 · 07/01/2023 07:44

What do you hope to achieve by suing? Except money, obviously.

How will any money “won” change your post op outcome?

Original poster
HarriwithanI · 07/01/2023 07:56

@BabyFour2023 well I spent Xmas alone eating from a food banl.

but money aside plenty of opportunities were missed for 9 days. I presented with every single symptom

OP posts:
BabyFour2023 · 07/01/2023 08:26

HarriwithanI · 07/01/2023 07:56

@BabyFour2023 well I spent Xmas alone eating from a food banl.

but money aside plenty of opportunities were missed for 9 days. I presented with every single symptom

Christmas alone from a food bank because of the fact they took 10 days to diagnose? If not, it’s not relevant to the case.
You’ve already pointed out it took 9 days. I’m asking what the money would do for your condition, post op.

runningonberocca · 07/01/2023 08:32

So the NHS correctly diagnosed you and got you emergency treatment preventing paralysis and you plan to sue them why?
Jesus - do you have any idea at all the pressure that those treating you are under? The constant worry about missing something or making a mistake even they they are on their knees exhausted and there’s people like you who want to put them through the additional trauma of legal action despite being correctly diagnosed and treated?!
No wonder so many health professionals are leaving the NHS
Have a word with yourself

piedbeauty · 07/01/2023 08:40

@runningonberocca - that's not very fair. It doesn't sound like OP was well treated at all, or listened to. Blaming a MH condition for her pain and for being unable to wee or poo for ten days is unreasonable. And it's only by luck that OP isn't suffering negative consequences of having to wait so long.

The doctors who treated her need to learn some lessons from this for their future treatment of similar patients.

Original poster
HarriwithanI · 07/01/2023 08:42

Help with the taxis I need to all the appointments I need

OP posts:
Lmgify · 07/01/2023 08:43

I think you should sue, what you had to go through was not ok.

Original poster
HarriwithanI · 07/01/2023 08:45

Had a nasty post op infection

OP posts:
Snippedasababy · 07/01/2023 08:46

flamingogold · 01/12/2022 06:48

She doesn't actually know that yet.

Show quote history

So why would the decision be made now to sue or not.

If op has no clue about long term consequences, she has no clue either way.

On top of that, at this point she has no clue wether earlier treatment may have prevented any of this (not yet real) long term consequences.

Badgirlriri · 07/01/2023 08:47

honestly you’ve got a very slim chance of winning anything and even if you did it would take years before receiving any money. You’d still need to pay your own taxis to appointments.

DaisyDreaming · 07/01/2023 08:47

AccioChocolate · 01/12/2022 05:14

No one will agree with you as the NHS is sacred, even when it's dangerously wrong.

The NHS has insurance and suing when necessary teaches those involved they will be held accountable if they don't provide proper care. It's a good thing.

If you can't do that the NHs will not be fit for purpose.

This 100%

I'm currently suing. I don’t think our case will make it to court though. Do think long and hard about it, it’s hard and it’s difficult. A solicitor will only take it on if they think you have a better than 50% chance of winning and they will drop the case at any point if they think your chances of winning have fallen below 50% at any point. I believe it’s the only way to make them listen. If we do win (which I doubt), it’s not about money, it’s about making them listen. They just lie, cover up and do the same to the next patient.

you have up to 3 years to sue so just focus on your recovery and see how you feel once recovered and back home. You can then have a talk to someone about whether you have a case or not.

I’m sorry you were dismissed like this and treated so badly

Pelo22 · 07/01/2023 08:48

runningonberocca · 07/01/2023 08:32

So the NHS correctly diagnosed you and got you emergency treatment preventing paralysis and you plan to sue them why?
Jesus - do you have any idea at all the pressure that those treating you are under? The constant worry about missing something or making a mistake even they they are on their knees exhausted and there’s people like you who want to put them through the additional trauma of legal action despite being correctly diagnosed and treated?!
No wonder so many health professionals are leaving the NHS
Have a word with yourself

They didn't though
CE is meant to be 48hrs, the longer it's left, the more damage

Original poster
HarriwithanI · 07/01/2023 08:48

runningonberocca · 07/01/2023 08:32

So the NHS correctly diagnosed you and got you emergency treatment preventing paralysis and you plan to sue them why?
Jesus - do you have any idea at all the pressure that those treating you are under? The constant worry about missing something or making a mistake even they they are on their knees exhausted and there’s people like you who want to put them through the additional trauma of legal action despite being correctly diagnosed and treated?!
No wonder so many health professionals are leaving the NHS
Have a word with yourself

By a DIFFERENT HOSPITAL I HAD TO CONTACT MYSELF! Because of the poor care I was receiving

OP posts:
Original poster
HarriwithanI · 07/01/2023 08:50

Can I please add this was written originally weeks ago when I put I was in a very fragile state mentally. I have stated a few times my intentions have changed. Thanks for the judgement though.

OP posts:
LIZS · 07/01/2023 08:52

HarriwithanI · 07/01/2023 06:57

Thank you both 💐I’ll check out that link.
so I did get in contact with solicitors and the hospital weren’t keen to share my notes. Haven’t heard anything since or chased it I’ll be honest. It’s been one thing after another with these scar infections, wound packing etc

It is not a case of "not being keen". You need to submit a formal DSAR to access your notes, details of how to do so will be on their website. You do not need a solicitor to do so.

BabyFour2023 · 07/01/2023 08:55

HarriwithanI · 07/01/2023 08:42

Help with the taxis I need to all the appointments I need

Do you not use taxis to get to work? If so, you clearly find them already. If not, how did you get there? You do not need to sue following an operation done after 10 days of presentation to pay for taxis.
I don’t think you have a case here at all and it’s a lot to go through for no “win”.

HaroldandWilly · 07/01/2023 08:55

I agree with a PALS complaint. You need to state clearly who and what you're complaining about though as it will inevitably try to be passed off as someone else's fault. Usually the lower bandings.

I'm sorry you had to use food banks at Christmas. Did you not get sick pay?

Paq · 07/01/2023 09:02

Your experience sounds terrible OP, all best for your recovery.

If you are up to it then do pursue a complaint, it's in everyone's interest that the hospital reflects on its errors.

Imthegingerbreadwoman · 07/01/2023 09:20

I would go down the PALS route S now you are OK I don't think uou could sue.

My eldest was left 2 years not able to walk properly because they thought it was psychological... turns out he had a osteoid osteoma (benign tumour in his femur) and it effected his walking and position of his hip.

We thought about complaining. Because they only tool us seriously when I went to a podiatrist who said his feet where fine and suggested a cure in the spine. They suddenly jumped into action!

Would I sue... no. Its fixed now. Unless he was paralysed due to lack of care or diagnostics, or unnecessary death or disability I might go down that route. But it's really not that easy! And no guarantee you would win if they could demonstrate they did everything they could.

I'm glad your Re sorted now OP. You might be better off with some therapy and a break from work. Can you be signed off after you have healed for a bit longer

Original poster
HarriwithanI · 07/01/2023 09:34

BabyFour2023 · 07/01/2023 08:55

Do you not use taxis to get to work? If so, you clearly find them already. If not, how did you get there? You do not need to sue following an operation done after 10 days of presentation to pay for taxis.
I don’t think you have a case here at all and it’s a lot to go through for no “win”.

Show quote history

No I’m normally healthy enough to walk to work. I’ve explained everything on this post. I really hope you never have to go through what I have.

OP posts:
Original poster
HarriwithanI · 07/01/2023 09:36

Also If you know about CES you would know treatment should be within 24-48 hours

OP posts:
Papershade5 · 07/01/2023 09:38

OP thus sounds awful.and I don't get thr nastiness on here. I know someone that this happened to and she had to have follow up surgeries for prolapsed caused by the nerve damage. I hope this doesn't happen to you, I just mention it as people don't realise the urgency of this condition.

converseandjeans · 07/01/2023 09:42

It doesn't sound like you have a case for suing them. You were correctly diagnosed and treated. There are no long-term consequences caused by anyone's actions. Why on earth would you think to sue?!

This 👆🏻 I think if you were actually paralysed then that would be different. Presumably you have no loss of income as I would presume you get sick pay. So aside from the inconvenience of waiting to be diagnosed then I don't know what you can put forward as a case.