Epilepsy Specialist's Notes To Be Examined In Investigation

A paediatrician at Royal Surrey County Hospital has been suspended over concerns related to the treatment of epilepsy patients.

It has been confirmed that a full review of the Dr Nic Driver’s patient notes is to be undertaken by the hospital, following a letter sent by a neurologist which raised some issues with the medical professional’s work.

Only a handful of details have so far been released into the suspension, but it is believed the review is to examine notes going back almost a decade. Parents of over 550 youngsters are thought to have been informed about the move.

Medical law experts at Irwin Mitchell, who act for patients who have suffered as a result of errors or negligence in care, have welcomed the move.

The firm represented over 150 children treated for epilepsy by a consultant paediatrician at Leicester Royal Infirmary from 1990 to 2001. The claims were launched over concerns that the doctor in question arrived at an incorrect or inappropriate diagnosis for the children and/or gave incorrect or inappropriate treatment for whatever underlying condition they had.

Sarah Rowland, a medical negligence expert at the law firm, said: “While the information to hand on the case of Dr Driver is limited, it is clear that the families of children treated by him will want answers about the treatment given to their child.

“We have acted for a huge number of children whose lives have been turned upside down as a result of being prescribed unnecessary anti-convulsant medication.

“It would be hugely concerning if the mistakes identified in 2001 in Leicester by the Royal College of Paediatrics & Child Health have occurred once again. Not only must this be distressing to those families potentially affected in Surrey but also to those families who had been affected in Leicester and had thought that lessons had been learnt and something on such a scale would not happen again.

“Patient safety must be a fundamental priority for all professionals working in medicine and it is vital that reassurances are given that patients are safe from any harm.

“While the review may take a number of months, we eagerly await the outcome and reassurances that any problems which may be identified can be avoided in the future.”

If you believe that you or your family may have been affected by this issue, please call us on 0800 056 4110 or contact us online.