Concerns over alleged medical negligence at University Hospitals Sussex continue as it's revealed surgeon used penknife on a patient during operation
I’ve represented dozens of clients impacted by medical negligence involving traumatic life-changing injuries or the death of a loved one.
To deliver safe and effective medical care, it’s fundamental that NHS Trusts ensure all their staff understand their individual responsibilities to follow protocols and procedure. It’s widely accepted that there can be no short cuts or rogue practices when delivering safe medical treatment. Trust procedures and protocols are in place to ensure this.
Patient safety incidents need to be thoroughly investigated
When patient safety is impacted, it’s the responsibility of the NHS Trust concerned to carry out a full investigation to ensure the cause is identified and lessons are learnt. This process of clinical governance is vitally important to avoid repeated failings and identify areas for improvement in patient safety.
Medical negligence concerns at Sussex Hospital Trust
I recently represented a family impacted by substandard medical care, resulting in the death of a relative after surgical treatment at the Royal Sussex Hospital in Brighton, run by University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust. During this legal claim, it came to light that the Trust was subject to an ongoing police investigation into 105 cases of alleged medical negligence.
It’s unusual for the police to investigate an NHS Trust as medical negligence cases are often civil matters and not subject to criminal investigation. It’s clear there are significant and widespread patient safety concerns at the Trust.
Latest incident at Brighton hospital sees surgeon use Swiss Army penknife during operation
I was concerned to learn that the Royal Sussex Hospital has come under fresh criticism today, as it has been revealed that an unnamed surgeon operating there used his Swiss Army penknife - ordinarily used to cut up his lunch - to open the chest of a patient because he ‘could not find a sterile scalpel’.
Incidents such as these are unacceptable and should simply not occur. For obvious reasons, use of non-sterile instruments are prohibited, due to the risk of exposing the patient to a wound infection. Such infections can result in prolonged admissions, significant harm and, in some cases, death.
Ready availability of sterile surgical instruments is of basic and fundamental importance when delivering safe and effective medical care. It remains unclear as to why these were not available to the surgeon at the time.
This incident is part of significant wider-concerns impacting patient safety at the Trust and it’s important that these incidents are fully investigated to avoid similar incidents in the future.
Where there are growing systemic patient safety concerns at a Trust, it’s important to address the root causes of this and, if necessary, external investigations to be completed.
Conclusion
I remain concerned about the developments with the investigation into this Trust and I think it’s important that the ongoing findings of these are brought to light.
Ultimately, it’s hoped that the investigation leads to fundamental changes to improve patient safety and avoid other patients suffering harm in the future.
We will continue to monitor the emerging police investigation into this Trust and we will continue to discuss the legal developments and implications as more information comes to light.
In the meantime, if you or someone you know has been impacted by poor medical care at the Royal Sussex Hospital, you can find out more information about how we can support you at our dedicated medical negligence section.
