£30,000 Settlement Secured After Delayed NHS Bowel Surgery

In 2024, the Claimant, in their late 70’s, was diagnosed with a large rectal polyp in the sigmoid colon and underwent a laparoscopic lower anterior resection. Following the surgery, the Claimant developed a bladder related complication and subsequently presented at the emergency department.

They were diagnosed with a strangulated parastomal hernia. A CT scan confirmed that the hernia contained a loop of small bowel which was obstructed - leading to emergency surgery and the Claimant being discharged.

A few days later, the Claimant went back to the hospital with further symptoms. A CT scan revealed ongoing bowel obstruction and strangulation. Although there was a plan to take the Claimant to theatre within a few hours however there was a significant delay in surgical intervention.

As a result of this delay, the bowel became ischaemic and required resection. The Claimant also underwent hernia repair surgery and required admission to critical care, followed by an extended hospital stay.

The Claimant was left with ongoing and increased risks such as; small bowel obstruction due to adhesions, recurrence of the parastomal hernia, bile salt malabsorption, vitamin B12 deficiency and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth.

It was alleged that had surgery been performed within the appropriate six-hour window, the bowel resection and admission to critical care would likely have been avoided. The Claimant would also have been discharged from hospital significantly sooner.

Following the incident, the Claimant instructed Forbes solicitors to pursue a claim for clinical negligence. Upon contact, the Defendant admitted there had been a delay and accepted that the Claimant should have undergone surgery earlier.

The claim was successfully settled for £30,000 by John Bennett, a personal injury specialist at Forbes Solicitors.

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