Expert Comments After Report Raises Care Concerns

Medical negligence specialists at Irwin Mitchell who act for victims of errors or substandard care in hospitals have called for a full investigation after a concerning new report suggested a number of sites are not equipped to provide quality support to surgical patients.

The data released by the National Confidential Enquiry Into Patient Outcome and Death suggested that many sites did not have the necessary tools to ensure both high and low-risk patients are given the treatment and care they require.

It also suggested that such issues meant many patients were being put at risk, as they are placed on general wards following surgery rather than being given access to critical care services.

Irwin Mitchell’s Medical Law and Patients’ Rights team represent a number of people who have suffered serious health problems as a result of failings in surgical care, as well as the families of those who have died as a result of errors or a lack of quality support.

Lisa Jordan, a Birmingham-based Partner in the team, said: “It is an unfortunate truth that substandard care continues to be an issue which blights the NHS and many of the surgery cases we deal with are caused by problems which could have been avoided if the best possible facilities for surgery and follow-up were available.

“There needs to be a quick and thorough response to this report and we would urge the government to work with healthcare providers and the NHS closely to address the concerns raised and ensure that all surgical patients have access to the vital, comprehensive care they deserve.

“The suggestion that some hospitals are not equipped to provide patients with the support they need is a massive concern that cannot be ignored. High-quality surgical treatment does not end at the operating table, as support following operations is fundamental to ensuring people make a full recovery.

“It is vital that any investigation also considers standards at hospitals across the board, so that lessons can be learned and patients do not face a postcode lottery which means the quality of care they receive is dependent on where they live.”