Medicolegal or Ombudsman

[Mharhi]

I think I have a case for medical negligence but rather than one individual it is a combination of several things leading to an adverse event, communication lack of resources contributing also not being examined thoroughly, a misdiagnosis.

I feel bad though that one person would be seen as 'negligent' rather as I said that's not the whole picture.

I don't know whether to go through the healthcare ombudsman who seem interested or a medicolegal case. In the latter would a particular clinician, the senior one involved, be then seen as 'negligent' on his record.

I am struggling with this as it seems mistakes were made, some due to junior staff / students misinterpreting an x-ray and he not being able to do an exam due to time pressures, then unfortunately a young doctor sent me homw with the wrong meds, when I in fact had a bowel obstruction.

Any advice welcome. Thanks

Thanks babybarrister. You can't use the Ombudsman if doing legal action, it's like an extension of the complaints process as far as I can see. Thanks for the comment about it being an institution rather than the individual, that's what I was hoping to get across. It was the response from the hospital that threw me, they had put all the focus onto two staff the most senior ones, and asked them to give detailed statements which cover then just a small amount of the time and don't take in the fuller situation.

Maybe I should ask the lawyer (which is recommended by AVMA)...I'm a bit concerned as they are getting independant medical advice will this be a prob if I don't go through with the case? However don't want to out them off at this point, it's a tricky situation.