Press

The Mid-Staffordshire Medical Negligence Scandal Timeline

Following the publication of the damning Mid-Staffordshire report, the NHS can expect an ‘explosion’ of medical negligence claims, according to the Law Society Gazette.

A spokesperson for the NHS litigation Authority has admitted that there has been an increase in claims in recent years against the NHS and following the Mid Staffordshire report, a spike is expected.

According to reports on the Mid-Staffs scandal, it has been estimated that between 400 and 1200 more patients than expected died as a direct result of substandard care experienced in Stafford Hospital.

The Independent Inquiry into care by the Mid Staffordshire NHS trust was published in February this year, after carefully compiling years’ worth of claims by relatives of poorly-treated patients.

A compilation of witness accounts from patients, relatives and staff, the Inquiry – lead by Robert Francis QC – revealed that patients spending time at the hospital suffered as a result of poor staff levels and poor management of nurses. Mid-Staffs negligence reports reveal a harrowing side of the NHS, struggling to meet unrealistic cut targets.

On many occasions, patients were left lying in soiled bed sheets for days. Relatives recount having to conduct simple tasks such as cleaning their loved ones and on some occasions changing burst catheters themselves.

Patients who needed assistance to reach the toilet were left waiting for hours at a time, with calls for help often ignored or delayed for long periods of time.

Patients suffering from pain were often forced to wait hours simply to be administered painkillers and it was reported that in many instances hungry and thirsty patients had sustenance left out of their reach.

It was also found that patients were discharged before it was safe for them to leave, with some of them passing away shortly afterwards at home.

The report also found that many patients contracted infections during their stay, including C. difficile virus, and many relatives contend that patients died as a result.

A Timeline of Events

2007

November: Julie Bailey sets up the campaign group Cure the NHS after her mother, Bella Bailey, died after a stay of two months at the hospital.

Mrs Bailey had been suffering from breathing difficulties and had a hiatus hernia when she was admitted. The report revealed that she was left without oxygen, something that she needed on a 24-hour basis, thanks to a shortage. On one occasion, she was dropped by nursing staff who were attempting to transfer her back to bed. Julie Bailey has remained active throughout the Mid-Staffs scandal, championing the reports and offering advice to anybody affected by Mid-Staffordshire negligence.

2008

May: After the unusually high death toll at the hospital was noticed by government officials, The Healthcare Commission watchdog began an investigation into the matter.

October: The Healthcare Commission issues an order that Stafford Hospital immediately improve their accident and emergency department. The Mid Staffordshire Trust agrees to employ more doctors and nurses for the department.

2009

February: Stafford Hospital closes five wards thanks to a norovirus vomiting bug.

March: Just a few days before the Health Care Commission report is due to be published, chief executive Martin Yeates and chairman of the Mid Staffordshire Trust resign. It soon transpires that Yeats walked away with a payoff of £400,000 and a pension pot of £1 million.

The Healthcare Commission report is published on the 18th, revealing the appalling standards of care experienced by patients staying in Staffordshire Hospital.

May: The hospital reveals its brand new plan to make improvements. Millions will be invested in new equipment and facilities.

September: New chief executive Anthony Samara says he will close any wards which are not working to a certain standard.

2010

January: NHS executive Kate Levy is suspended after it was found that she requested for a fatal medical accident to not be reported. John Moore-Robinson passed away due to a ruptured spleen shortly after being discharged from the hospital.

June: David Cameron reveals that a public inquiry will be launched to further investigate the failings at Stafford Hospital. He hopes to discover why the alarm was not raised over the high death rates. Media interest in the Mid-Staffordshire scandal rises.

September: Staffordshire County Council promises to help the hospital address a backlog of 200 complaints and have them cleared by 1 December.

November: The Mid Staffordshire Trust agrees to pay more than £1million in compensation to 98 people for the poor care they or their relatives received at the hospital.

2011

October: The Quality Care Commission warns the NHS Trust that its findings have discovered low staffing levels have consistently compromised the safety of patients.

December: It is announced that Stafford Hospital’s A&E department will be closing at night for a total of three months, thanks to staff shortages.

2012

September: Following a financial crisis, Foundation Trust regulator Monitor says that experts will be employed to address monetary issues of the Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation.

December: The trust has now paid out more than £1 million to patients or relatives of those who experienced degrading treatment at the hospital.

February 2013: The final report is published. You can read it here.

{ no comments }

Men are paying the price for looking good as survey reveals top cosmetic injuries suffered by blokes!

• Tanning, hair-dyeing and waxing pose the greatest risk

• Men are four times as likely to sustain an injury from using UV tanning beds than women

Most men would hate to admit it but they love a bit of pampering. However a trip to the beauty salon isn’t always the enjoyable and relaxing experience many expect, according to a recent survey by personal injury specialists www.first4lawyers.com

The UK-wide survey * revealed that looking good can be a hazardous pastime for body-conscious guys with 14 per cent suffering for their vanity. Tanning, hair-dyeing and waxing top the list of treatments that pose the greatest risk with 20 per cent of men sustaining an injury from UV tanning and 16% from a spray tan treatment, followed by hair-dyeing (12%) and eyebrow waxing (13%).

Alarmingly, men are four times as likely to sustain an injury from using UV tanning beds (20%) than women (5%) and eight times as likely to suffer after a spray tan. This could be explained by the increased numbers of men using tanning salons but without perhaps the same level of knowledge and experience as women when it comes to using them safely.

The top five treatments in which men have suffered an injury:

UV tanning (20%)

Spray tanning (16%)

Hair cut or dyeing (13%)

Eyebrow waxing or threading (12%)

Leg waxing (10%)

For women hair-dyeing was the biggest offender with 28 per cent sustaining an injury having their hair coloured, followed by leg and bikini waxing (19%) and facials (15%).

The top five treatments in which women have suffered an injury:

Hair cut or dyeing (28%)

Leg or bikini wax (19%)

Facial (15%)

Eyebrow waxing or threading (13%)

Nail extensions (12%)

First4lawyers’ spokesperson, Chris Rodgers, said: “The boom in the British male grooming market is well documented and you only have to look at the wealth of men’s beauty products and treatments available to see that the modern-day metrosexual man is paying more attention to his appearance than ever before.

“However, these treatments can, in some cases, give a result that’s far from pretty. Injuries sustained from tanning treatments can vary from allergic reactions and skin rashes to dermatitis caused by the chemicals used in spray tanning. Other risks include infections or illnesses from unsanitary rooms or beds, eye damage from goggles and heat-related injuries when using UV beds.

“Burns from hot wax, irritation or tears to delicate skin, infections, ingrown hairs and rashes are all common waxing-related complaints. A trip to the hairdressers can result in accidental cuts from scissors and hair dyeing can be the cause of skin irritations and swelling from hypersensitivity and in extreme cases anaphylactic shock.”

The top five treatments to cause injury (overall):

Hair cut or dyeing (20%)

Leg and bikini waxing (14%)

UV Tanning (13%)

Eyebrow waxing or threading (12%)

Facial (10%)

Chris continued: “Our advice to anyone thinking about treating themselves to a makeover - male or female - is to ensure that they choose a reputable salon so you can be confident that it meets all the necessary safety standards.

"When using UV tanning equipment the operator should advise you on your skin type and on how many minutes you should limit your session to and beds should be cleaned after every use.

“If you’re thinking of dyeing your hair then visit your hair salon for a patch test 48 hours beforehand to make sure you aren’t allergic to the dyes it uses. The same applies to home treatments, always read the package instructions thoroughly and when dyeing or waxing test on a small area first to rule out any adverse skin reactions.”

{ no comments }

Car Safety: Past, Present & Future [Infographic]

Car safety has come a long way in recent times. Almost since the car was invented, people have been striving to make travel on the road as safe as possible and we’ve progressed with leaps and bounds, year after year, decade after decade.

Here at First4Lawyers.com, we take a brief look at just how car safety has changed over the last 100 years and, indeed, how it looks set to change over the next few years.

This car safety infographic outlines what we saw in the 20^th century, from rear view mirrors to crash test dummies, and what we’re already seeing in the 21^st century, from automated braking systems to make-up for dummies. We also take a look at Google’s driverless car – the future of safety on the road – and the current safest car in the world, the Volvo V40, which received a full five star rating in its Euro NCAP safety tests.

Modern car manufacturers are constantly striving to minimise road traffic accidents by eliminating human error out on the road, so we thought it fitting to highlight their efforts in this inquisitive yet, by no means, comprehensive infographic.

We owe thanks to the road safety charity, Brake, for providing some of the statistics presented below:

Embed this infographic on your own blog using the code below and don’t forget to share it with your friends and family:

<textarea cols="80" rows="5"><a href="http://first4lawyers.com/car-safety-past-present-future-infographic"><img title="Car Safety: Past, Present & Future" src="http://first4lawyers.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/car-safety-past-present-future.jpg" alt="Car Safety: Past, Present & Future" width="600" /></a> <br>Car Safety: Past, Present & Future was created by <a href="http://first4lawyers.com">First4Lawyers</a></textarea>

{ no comments }

Don't come a Christmas cropper

SURVEY REVEALS

TOP FIVE CAUSES OF CHRISTMAS INJURIES

• Almost 20 per cent of Brits are injured cooking Christmas dinner
• 80 per cent of festive accidents are alcohol related
• Decking the halls proves hazardous job

Almost 20 per cent of Brits will injure themselves cooking Christmas dinner a survey* by personal injury specialist First4lawyers has revealed.

The survey, which looked at the top Christmas related mishaps that take place in the home, discovered that preparing and serving the biggest family meal of the year is the main cause of festive foul-ups.

The top five causes of injuries at Christmas are:

1. Cooking Christmas dinner (20%)
2. Cuts from broken tree ornaments (11%)
3. Falls from ladders of roofs installing lights and decorations (11%)
4. Trips over cables and fairy lights (10%)
5. Burns from candles (10%)

Other common injuries are caused by electric shocks (8%), setting up toys and games on Christmas Day (7%) and falling Christmas trees (4%). What’s more, a staggering 80 per cent of all injuries at Christmas are alcohol related, proving that a little too much festive spirit is not always a good thing.

Chris Rodgers, spokesperson for First4lawyers said: “The week’s leading up to Christmas can be quite fraught with planning and getting the home ready for the festive celebrations, however it’s important that we don’t get too carried away and take unnecessary safety risks – particularly on the big day itself.

“Cooking the Christmas dinner is one of the biggest jobs we undertake, that coupled with too much to drink and you could be in for a trip to A&E rather than sitting down to watch the Queen’s speech.

“Drinking reduces risk awareness so make sure you avoid alcohol until you've finished cooking, keep sharp knives away from worktop edges and wipe up any liquid or grease spills as soon as they happen, so that people don't slip.

“When it comes to decorating your home, always ensure that fairy lights come with the required safety mark and keep out of reach of children. If you’re hanging decorations outside use a sturdy pair of ladders and don’t attempt to do the job alone. Crushed baubles or plastic tree toys can cause painful cuts so ensure that any breakages are quickly swept up and disposed of.”

According to the NHS, more than 80,000 people a year need hospital treatment for injuries such as falls, cuts and burns during the festive period and around 1000 are hurt decorating their homes says RoSPA.

London sees the highest number of injuries at Christmas (31%) followed by Belfast (29%) and Dublin (26%). Norwich is the safest city with only 8 per cent of injuries happening here followed by Leeds with 9 per cent and Manchester with 13 per cent.

{ no comments }

PERSONAL INJURY AWARDS 2012

Our Approach | About First4Lawyers | Why Use Us? | Awards | Standards of Service | Tv Advert | Contact Us

FIRST4LAWYERS WINS TOP PERSONAL INJURY INDUSTRY AWARD

We’re celebrating after winning the Claims Management Company of the Year category at the Personal Injury Awards 2012 held on November 14 at the Park Plaza Riverbank hotel in London.

Run in conjunction with leading industry publication Claims Magazine, the awards celebrate excellence in the personal injury claims sector.

We know that this level of recognition can only be achieved by continuing to provide our claimants and solicitors with outstanding levels of service and commitment, so we are very proud of this award.

The judging panel said First4lawyers “has aided numerous clients to gain access to justice in an innovative and ethical manner, while striving to raise industry standards.

“With a rigorous false claim vetting process and an exceptional panel of law firms, the company thoroughly prepares clients for the claims process. It also works hard to make the referral process as smooth as possible for the solicitors it works with, leading to an efficient, friendly and trusted service.”

We would like to thank all of our claimants and solicitors for their ongoing support and we look forward to continuing to provide the outstanding levels of service that people have come to expect from First4lawyers.

{ no comments }

Poor NHS diabetes care could pave the way for rise in negligence cases, says First4Lawyers

A parliamentary report released this week by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) into standards of diabetes care in the NHS revealed worrying statistics that could see the NHS facing a surge of clinical negligence claims, according to First4lawyers.

The PAC, an influential group of MPs tasked with ensuring that taxpayers get value for money claim that diabetes care is depressingly poor, causing disabilities and sometimes death. The Department of Health estimates that up to 24,000 people with diabetes are dying each year from causes that could be avoided through better management of their condition

Delayed diagnosis, inadequate treatment and complications in patients with diabetes are all areas of care that can result in dangerous conditions including blindness and kidney disease.

The report highlights that the number of people with diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes is 3.1 million, set to rise to 3.8 million by 2020 – an increase that is likely to have a significant impact on NHS resources, said the committee.

A spokesperson for clinical negligence specialists, First4lawyers said: “Diabetes is a lifelong condition and although not all complications can be avoided cases involving failures made in the treatment of diabetic patients is something that we are seeing more of.

“Patients that are not properly monitored or given the right treatment are in serious danger of permanent damage and even death and this latest report shows just how serious the current situation is. If the findings aren’t addressed quickly there is a real danger that the NHS could see the number of clinical negligence cases brought against it begin to increase dramatically.”

Diabetes UK advises that self-monitoring is crucial to preventing some of the complications associated with diabetes but that proper care is also vital too.

First4lawyers added: “We would advise patients with diabetes to ensure that you are pushing your GP for all the relevant tests that are required as part of your treatment and make sure that you receive proper and regular follow ups”

{ no comments }

Be aware of the dog!

BE AWARE OF THE DOG! AS THE PDSA URGES OWNERS TO TAKE MORE RESPONSIBILTY FOR PETS’ BEHAVIOR, RESEARCH REVEALS ALMOST A THIRD OF BRITS HAVE BEEN BITTEN

• 29% of Brits have been bitten by a dog
• 3.5% of those have been bitten more than once  
• Most likely to be bitten in Cardiff, Bristol, Edinburgh or Birmingham
• Least likely to be bitten in Norwich, Nottingham and London

As the PDSA’s latest Animal Wellbeing Report calls for dog owners to ensure that their dogs are properly trained to reduce their aggression, new research* by Personal Injury law specialist First4lawyers reveals almost a third (29%) of Brits have been bitten by a dog, with an unlucky 3.5 per cent of those having been bitten more than once.

It’s not always the dogs you’d expect to bite that do either. Alsatians are the dogs we’re most likely to be bitten by, with 16% of those surveyed having suffered a bite from the breed. These are followed by Jack Russells, who account for 13 per cent of bites and Yorkshire Terriers, who account for 8 per cent.  A further 7 per cent have been bitten by a mongrel.

First4Lawyers’ research also revealed we’re most likely to be bitten in the street, with 24 per cent of those bitten having received theirs there. This is followed by our own home (22%), friends’ houses (16%) and the park (8%).

Where we live also plays a part in whether we’re more or less likely to be bitten. Cardiff is the dog bite capital of the UK, with 40 per cent of people from there admitting to having been bitten. This if followed by Bristol (34%) and Edinburgh and Birmingham (both 33%).

Cities where you’re least likely to be bitten are Norwich and Nottingham, where just 17 per cent of people have received a dog bite and London, where the figure stands at 20 per cent.

Speaking in the PDSA report, clinical animal behaviourist David Ryan said: “Good puppy socialisation and training classes undoubtedly help to reduce the initial development of dog aggression, but it is also essential to provide our pets with guidance in good behaviour, at home and elsewhere, throughout their lives.  Training’ should be synonymous with ‘living with’ and never stops.”

A First4lawyers spokesperson said: “Being bitten by a dog is a very unnerving experience, which can cause serious injury.

“Although most dogs are friendly and well behaved, our research demonstrates that you do need to remember to take care around them. If you are unlucky enough to suffer from a bite, then you need to get the proper medical attention required and ensure you get the owners full contact details.”

First4lawyers is one of the UK’s leading companies that provides marketing and legal services to solicitors specialising in Personal Injury law and represents over 30 law firms across the UK.

If a consumer has sustained an injury from an accident which was someone else’s fault First4lawyers will put them in touch with a specialist solicitor so they can seek redress for the personal injury they have sustained.

First4lawyers is authorised by the Ministry of Justice in respect of regulated claims management activities and is a registered company, incorporated in the UK.

{ no comments }

Stay off the road if you’ve had a drink

The AA has called for more to be done to prevent people from drink driving as the festive season approaches.

Figures released in the Reported Road Casualties in Great Britian: 2011 Annual Report by the Department for Transport reveal that more than one in 14 drivers have driven despite the fact they felt they were over the alcohol limit.

Other findings from the annual study included:

• An estimated 9,990 reported casualties, which represents 5% of all road casualties, occurred in 2011 as a result of somebody driving while over the legal alcohol limit.
• A total of 203,950 casualties of all severities in road accidents were reported to the police in 2011.
• Fatalities for pedestrians and car occupants rose in 2011 by 12% and 6% respectively.
• Fatalities among three other groups of road users (bus and coach occupants, motorcyclists, pedal cyclists) fell in 2011.

With the busy Christmas period a time when traditionally many adults enjoy plenty of food and drink, Edmund King, AA president, has urged motorists not to drink and drive – a message we at First4lawyers are also keen to reiterate.

“Although drink drive casualties have fallen hugely, people are still prepared to take the risk of throwing away their lives and others’,” said King on the AA website.

“Ultimately publicity has to be combined with a real perceived risk of being caught.

“The answer is traffic policeman patrolling the streets, but at the moment the numbers of these appear to be in steady decline.

“Our message is, if you are going to drive, don’t drink and if you are going to drink, don’t drive.”

{ no comments }

Nationwide survey reveals nearly two thirds of bonfire night injuries require hospital treatment

• 62% of people injured on bonfire night need hospital treatment
• 25-34 year-old men are at most risk
• 57% of accidents happen at family or private parties

People are being urged to take extra care this Bonfire night as new nationwide research* from First4Lawyers has revealed that almost two thirds (62%) of firework and bonfire injuries require hospital treatment.

British men are three times as likely to injure themselves (24%) compared to women (8%) with people aged 24-35 at most risk (31%). Extra care should also be taken at private parties, with 57% of bonfire injuries occurring at a family or friend’s event, compared to just 31% at an organised display and 13% in the street or at a public place.

These figures show that, whilst as a nation we are relatively safety conscious, the risks associated with bonfire night are still very real. Many people could avoid nasty accidents and sometimes permanent damage to themselves if they took more care.

Whilst they look attractive, the dangerous aspect of fireworks should never be ignored. A sparkler can heat up to 2,000°C - 20 times the boiling point of water, a rocket can reach alarming speeds of 150mph and a firework shell can shoot as high as 200 metres. It’s no surprise therefore that, according to the NHS, the most common firework injuries seen in accident and emergency departments are burns to the hands followed by the eyes and the face.

A spokesperson from First4lawyers said: “Our research shows that bonfire night injuries can be particularly dangerous with a very high proportion of injuries needing hospital treatment.  We would urge anyone planning on celebrating November 5 with a bonfire or firework display to take extra care, especially men aged 25-35 attending a private event.

“If you are holding an event at home make sure you have read the instructions on your fireworks and have all the equipment you need ready. If you are lighting a bonfire make sure it is well away from houses, trees and wooden garden furniture and ideally avoid alcohol consumption until after your display has ended as this may impair your judgement.

“Most importantly make sure you know what to do in an emergency. Learn the basic first aid for cooling and protecting a burn and keep emergency numbers close to hand.”

{ no comments }

Woman urged to leave the weighty wardrobes to the boys this winter, as survey reveals 33% injure themselves trying to build them

• Over a third of Brits are injured assembling furniture
• Women are most at risk from hefty items: 33% of women hurt themselves moving wardrobes
• People over 65 most likely to be hurt through not reading instructions properly

With furniture sales kicking off across the country DIY-ers are being urged to take extra care while they work, as research* from Personal Injury law specialist First4lawyers has revealed that over a third (35%) of Brits have sustained an injury whilst assembling new furniture.

Home improvers reported injuries including everything from assembling bookcases (13%) to putting up a new picture (3%).  But by far the biggest risk was to women taking on the ‘men’s work’ and grappling with wardrobes – with 33% hurting themselves when attempting to assemble one, compared to just as a quarter of men.

Of those surveyed, half of all women who injured themselves said that they sustained injuries by dropping the furniture due to its weight.  For people aged 65 and over, failing to read the instructions was the most common cause of injury, with almost half of those surveyed saying that they were injured by items collapsing, because of misread instructions.

Other common causes of injury are tripping over when carrying new furniture (22%), or injuries relating to faulty products (16%).

People in Glasgow are most likely to be injured when assembling furniture (45%), followed by London (44%), Birmingham (40%), Cardiff (39%) and Dublin (37%).  The safest city is Liverpool (21%).

A First4lawyers spokesperson said: “At this time of year lots of people decide to take advantage of furniture sales and tackle home improvement projects.  However, our research shows that, while new furniture can give your home a welcome boost, there are plenty of risks that come with it.  So while you might pick up a bargain in the autumn sales, you could end up paying the price with your health.

“Our research shows that women need to be particularly careful when assembling large, heavy items of furniture, and our advice would be to make sure you have help from a family member or a friend when assembling it.  It’s also important to make sure you read the instructions properly, take extra care with larger items and clear the floors of anything you could potentially trip over when moving furniture.”

Top ten furniture injury culprits:

1. Wardrobes (29%)
2. Bookcases (13%)
3. Beds (11%)
4. Tables (8%)
5. Kitchen units (7%)
6. Sheds (6%)
7. Sofas (5%)
8. Chairs (5%)
9. Dressers (4%)
10. Outdoor seating (4%)

{ no comments }