In May 2013, a British Medical Journal (BMJ) study revealed that patients undergoing planned surgery were more likely to suffer fatal clinical negligence during the weekend than at the beginning of the week.
Naturally, many individuals, medical authorities, and organisations – such as the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) – declared that these findings were unacceptable and that people should receive the same level of care from medical professionals throughout the week.
Reportedly, the lack of experienced doctors on duty in hospitals during Saturdays and Sundays impacted the safety of patients undergoing elective surgical procedures.
Furthermore, the lack of consultants available during emergency cases at the weekends meant that those patients were more likely to die than if they had been admitted earlier in the week.
The team which undertook the study – led by a clinical reader in epidemiology and public health at Imperial College London – stated that the risk of a poor outcome to medical treatment increased every day after Monday.
A spokesperson for the research team explained, “Compared with Monday, the adjusted odds of death [taking into account case mix] for all elective surgical procedures was 44% higher, and 82% higher, if the procedures were carried out on Friday or at the weekend respectively.”
The study also found that the chances of patients dying or suffering other clinical negligence-related injuries were higher if having a lung removed, an operation to improve blood-flow to the heart, or surgery for an abdominal aortic aneurysm.
The skill with which operations are undertaken, and the first 48 hours following surgery, are very important to an individual’s recovery, so a lower quality of care during certain days of the week is unacceptable.
Fewer experienced staff could mean that a patient does not receive the care they require to successfully recover from their surgery or the initial injuries caused by their accident or illness.
If you or a member of your family have suffered clinical negligence – which resulted in personal injury or illness – you could be eligible to claim compensation for your pain, suffering, and lost earnings.
31st March 2022
Those who undergo cosmetic or other forms of surgery abroad can find it very hard to obtain compensation if things go wrong. However, the case of a nightclub dancer who nearly died following a breast augmentation operation in Poland showed that English lawyers are well able to rise to the challenge. Continue reading »
18th January 2022
Disabled children bring great joy to their families’ lives but, with an eye to their future care needs, it is always wise to explore the possibility of seeking compensation. In a case on point, a settlement secured for a profoundly disabled teenager successfully ensured that she would always be properly looked after. Continue reading »
21st October 2021
The latest edition of leading legal directory Chambers & Partners has been published, and Healys are pleased to announce that 3 partners have received individual recognition.
1st October 2021
Healys has once again been recognised as a Leading Firm in the latest edition of the Legal 500 UK. This year Healys has been ranked in 7 practice areas, with 13 individuals recognised as Recommended Lawyers in their specialist fields. Continue reading »
16th July 2021
Judges often express amazement at the devoted care lavished upon disabled people by their loved ones. However, as one case showed, one of the most important things they can do is to ask a solicitor to explore the possibility of compensation. Continue reading »
1st July 2022
We are pleased to announce that Robert Johnson, Partner and Head of Healys Professional Negligence, has been identified as a leader in his field and recommended for inclusion in this year’s Who’s Who Legal: Professional Negligence report.
29th June 2022
Employee Ownership Trusts (EOTs) is a Government led initiative, which provides employees with the opportunity to obtain ownership of the business and gives business owners the opportunity to sell their shares to an employee-owned trust free from capital gains tax. Continue reading »
22nd June 2022
Boundaries between properties are usually marked by a line on a small-scale Land Registry plan but they may be invisible on the ground. Precisely that difficulty was the root cause of a bitter dispute between owners of two riverside homes. Continue reading »
20th June 2022
Congratulations to head of Healys Classic & Collector Cars, Clive Robertson for completing the Mille Miglia 2022.
17th June 2022
The 2nd and 3rd stages of the Mille Miglia 2022 took place on Thursday 16th and Friday 17th June. Continue reading »