I have received incorrect treatment from my GP/Consultant which I think amounts to negligence. How can I make sure that this doesn’t happen to others?
If you have concerns about the treatment you have received you have a year to make a complaint to the surgery or hospital concerned. Upon receipt of your complaint, the matter will be investigated, the people involved questioned and you will be provided with a written response. It is unlikely that disciplinary action will result but, if the matter is conducted properly, those concerned will consider whether practices need to change or whether further training and/or supervision is required with a view to avoiding a recurrence for other patients. If you are dissatisfied with the response to the complaint you are entitled to refer it to the Ombudsman for further investigation.
The treatment may have left you with injuries which prevent you from leading a normal life and have caused you financial losses, in which case you may be considering a claim for compensation. Medical negligence is a highly complex area and it is essential that you seek advice from a recognised specialist in the field. Even if the evidence is supportive, claims are usually vigorously defended, or the value of the claim contested, by the legal teams instructed by the NHS or the medical defence unions. The advice and support of a specialist with proven experience of medical negligence claims is therefore critical to give you the best chance of securing the compensation you deserve. Time limits apply and it is therefore recommended that you explore your options with a specialist at the earliest possible stage.
