Action against Medical Accidents: Marking 40 years of providing help and support to those affected by clinical negligence

As Action against Medical Accidents (AvMA) celebrates its 40th anniversary year, it's easy to lose yourself in the amazing stats that showcase how important it is to people affected by avoidable harm in healthcare. 

The charity helps more than 3,000 people affected by avoidable harm in healthcare every year, offering advice and support. As a volunteer for the AvMA helpline, I've first-hand experience in just how important and appreciated its work is.

The AVMA helpline

The AvMA helpline is open from Monday to Friday, 10am to 3:30pm. The AvMA advisers are specially trained volunteers who are medical and legal professionals. 

We listen to your story and offer practical advice about what options are open to you following a medical injury. We can explain some of the jargon and systems, help you decide what to do next and put you in touch with other sources of support if needed, including referring you to a specialist medical negligence solicitor.

It can be very difficult to talk to someone about what you've been through particularly when it comes to medical treatment, but the helpline is always available and the volunteers are more than happy to help.

Volunteering eye-opening experience

Being a medical negligence solicitor, I've heard my fair share of rightly frustrated client’s speaking to me about the negligent treatment they've received. However, by the time my clients contact me they've usually gone past the initial phase of anger and pain and have decided to do something about it to secure answers.

Working on the AvMA helpline, I've spoken with people going through those phases for the first time and it really feels like you're the first call some people make when they go through such distressing times. 

Providing support and reassurance

Taking the step of instructing a solicitor can be a scary thought for some and being able to provide the reassurance needed to take a step towards action is incredibly fulfilling. Being able to provide support to people who are potentially at one of the lowest points of their lives is just one of the reasons why AvMA is so important.

It's always nice to feel like you're giving back to the world and to help people, but what is just as, if not more important, when volunteering for AVMA is that you're helping spread awareness and giving AVMA wider exposure. 

Despite all AVMA’s achievements, the need to raise awareness of the continuing need to improve patient safety and justice for people affected by medical accidents is of vital importance.

Find out more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in supporting patients and families affected by care issues at our dedicated medical negligence section.  

You can find more information about AVMA and how you can support the charity at its website.