Hospital Staff Leave Swab In Wound During Surgery

Sue was admitted into hospital for surgery for a hip replacement. However, following the surgery routine x-rays identified that a surgical swab had been left inside the wound.

Two days later Sue had to undergo surgery under general anaesthetic for a second time to remove the surgical swab. As a result of Sue requiring further surgery and the wound being re-opened, Sue has a larger scar than she would have had if she had only undergone the initial procedure. Sue was also required to take antibiotics to prevent the surgical swab causing an infection and they made her very unwell for several days.

Sue pursued a claim against the local NHS Trust and with the assistance of Jemma Watson was awarded £5,000 in compensation.

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