Woman Asks Medical Negligence Lawyers To Investigate Her Care And Help Her Access Life-time Specialist Support She Requires

A young woman’s left leg had to be amputated following a 16-hour surgery delay in treating a blood clot, a Hospital Trust has admitted. 

Molly Harbron, aged 25, who has type one diabetes, attended Dewsbury and District Hospital’s A&E department concerned her left leg and foot were numb and cold and she had calf pain. Her left foot was also discoloured. 

Medics at Dewsbury Hospital failed to carry out adequate tests

Molly had a history of diabetic ketoacidosis, a serious complication of diabetes, the side-effects of which can include blood clots.

A possible deep vein thrombosis was initially suspected. However, medics failed to carry out adequate tests. She should have undergone surgery by 9pm that day, health bosses admitted. However, Molly didn’t undergo surgery until just after 1.30pm the following day – more than 16-and-a-half hours later. 

Surgeons were unable to restore blood flow to her lower left leg. She initially underwent a below the knee amputation, but days later had to have surgery to amputate her leg above the knee.

Molly asks medical negligence lawyers to investigate her care following leg amputation

Following her amputation, Molly, of Batley, instructed expert medical negligence lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate her care under Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust, which runs Dewsbury and District Hospital. 

Molly has now spoken for the first time about the impact losing her leg has had on her life and in calling for lessons to be learned. 

It comes after the Hospital Trust admitted a breach of duty and apologised to Molly. If it was not for the breach of duty, Molly would have undergone surgery by 9pm on the day she attended hospital. On the balance of probabilities, the surgery would have been successful and would have avoided the need for both the below and above knee amputation, the Trust admitted. 

Lawyers working with Hospital Trust so Molly can access lifetime support she requires

Irwin Mitchell is now working with Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust to agree a settlement which will fund the life-time therapies, support and rehabilitation Molly requires. 

Ashlee Coates is the specialist medical negligence lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing Molly.

Expert Opinion

“The last few years and coming to terms with the avoidable and life-changing consequences of Molly’s amputation have understandably been extremely difficult for her and her family.

“What happened to her vividly highlights the repercussions of what can happen when patient care falls below expected standards.

“While nothing can make up for the physical and psychological trauma Molly has experienced, we’re determined to ensure she can access the specialist care and therapies she needs to continue her recovery and live as independently as possible.

“In the meantime it’s vital that lessons are learned to improve patient safety for others.” Ashlee Coates

Medical negligence: Molly Harbron's story

Molly, who was aged 22 at the time, attended hospital at around 11.30am on 25 April 2020. She was diagnosed with diabetic ketoacidosis and admitted to ward just after 7.30pm. Around 30 minutes later a review suspected she had a deep vein thrombosis.

Following a further review medics concerned about reduced blood flow to her lower left leg, called another hospital for an opinion. 

A radiology report at 11.30pm suggested Molly had blood clots and a blocked artery behind her left knee. She was transferred to another hospital and was in theatre for surgery just after 1.30pm on 26 April.

Carer Molly forced to give up career

However, surgery was unable to achieve blood flow to her left foot which was unsalvageable. A decision was made to perform a below the knee amputation on 27 April. However, she continued to have issues. She underwent an above the knee amputation on 2 May. 

Molly spent a further 18 days in hospital. She had to give up her job as a carer. 

Batley woman Molly reveals impact leg amputation has had on her life

She said: “Before all this I was extremely active. I worked in a quite physically demanding job and enjoyed going out with my friends, shopping and all of the things people my age do. 

“However, that’s all completely gone. It’s sometimes difficult to find the words to describe how my life has changed. It’s not just the physical injuries which have been hard to come to terms with but also the psychological impact.

“I went from being quite independent to reliant on others. I do have a prosthetic leg but it’s not specifically designed for me. I suffer walking any kind of distance and I suffer with pain when using it so I tend to use a wheelchair.” 

Molly thanks family for support as she calls for lessons to be learned

Despite her challenges Molly was determined to stand on her wedding day as she married fiancé Daniel, aged 25, in August 2023.

Molly added: “We’d been planning our wedding for months and had everything set out how we had dreamed. After everything I’d been through I was determined I wasn’t going to let it dictate my wedding. 

“Daniel is the most wonderful and caring person whose support, along with the support of my family, have really helped me over the last few years. I can’t thank them enough for everything they continue to do for me. 

“While I try not to think about how life has changed, it’s difficult. I know I have a long way to go and face many challenges, but now having answers regarding what went wrong in my care means I can try and focus on my rehabilitation. 

“This never should have happened so I just hope that by speaking out I can prevent it happening to someone else.” 

During legal proceedings the Trust admitted it failed to carry out a number of tests, including examining and comparing pulses, recording and comparing Molly’s leg temperatures and examining the blood supply to her left foot.  The Trust did not query whether she had reduced blood supply to her leg and did not refer her to the vascular surgery department.

Find out more about our expertise in supporting patients affected by care failings at our dedicated medical negligence section. Alternatively, to speak to an expert contact us or call 0370 1500 100.