Former Cleaner Joins Medical Negligence Lawyers In Calling For Lessons To Be Learned

A Chesham dad-of-four had to have part of his right foot including four toes amputated after a Hospital Trust provided him with ill-fitting shoes.

Martin Ralph, who lives with diabetes, was under the care of the Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust’s podiatry department when he was measured for a pair of orthotic footwear in January 2019.  Following adjustments, he collected these in June and wore these to his own wedding in July.  However, he complained of problems with the fit and he reverted back to his old footwear.

Decision made to amputate right big toe

A few weeks later, the 61-year-old attended hospital with an abscess on his right big toe.  Dead tissue was removed and his toe was washed out.  However, this exposed the first joint and a decision was made to amputate the toe at the knuckle.

Over the next four years, Martin developed further issues with his foot.  He required several additional procedures to remove infected and dead tissue, as well as the amputation of the further toes on his right foot.

Martin, who formerly owned a cleaning business, instructed expert medical negligence lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate his care under the Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust and whether more could have been done to prevent the amputations and subsequent surgeries.

As part of Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month, Martin’s joining with his legal team in calling for lessons to be learned.

Hospital Trust failed to provide sixty-one-year-old with appointment to ensure correct fitting of footwear

It comes after the Hospital Trust admitted a breach of duty in failing to provide Martin with a further clinical appointment to ensure the correct fitting of his orthotic footwear upon collection.

If Martin had been given correctly-fitting footwear, he would not have developed the blister/ulceration and suffered the amputation of his right big toe, accepted the Trust, which also led to the later amputation of his third, fourth and fifth right toes.  The Trust “sincerely” apologised for the “shortcomings” in Martin’s care

Alexandra Highfield is the specialist medical negligence lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing Martin.

Expert Opinion

“The past few years have been incredibly difficult for Martin, firstly undergoing the amputation of his toe and then having to go through additional operations as a result of not being provided with the correct shoes.

“What should have been a simple task has now left him having to deal with restricted mobility for the rest of his life. He’s also understandably struggling with the psychological impact of his injuries.

“While there’s nothing that can be done to change what Martin and his family have gone through, they shouldn’t be in this position. This is an example of where a simple mistake can have devastating consequences. It’s now vital that lessons are learned to improve patient safety. We therefore welcome the Trust’s admission.” Alexandra Highfield

Limb Loss And Limb Difference Awareness Month: Martin Ralph's story

In legal correspondence, the Hospital Trust also admitted that given his medical history, Martin should have been offered an emergency appointment after explaining that his new shoes were not fitting, acknowledged the Trust.

Martin lives with his wife, Melissa, 61.  Between them they have four children and two grandchildren.

Following his amputations and surgeries, Martin suffers from significant and ongoing numbness and pain in his foot and thigh as well as scarring. Martin now struggles to mobilise for long periods, requiring regular breaks. He also finds it difficult to maintain his balance and so relies on things around him to help stabilise him when mobilising or when stood up. Martin has been unable to return to work as a result of his injuries.

Dad-of-four reveals impact of 'horrific' injury

Martin said: “I was delighted to get my new shoes as I had been waiting months for them and had collected them just in time for my wedding.  So when I began to feel discomfort, I thought they maybe just needed breaking in as they had been measured and I was not told they needed to be checked again.

“However, as the day went on, it became painful and I had to change out of them.  I reported my concerns, but it wasn’t until a few weeks later that I noticed a blister on my foot which gradually got worse.

“Having to undergo amputation of my toe was horrific, but I was hopeful that was the end of it.  Sadly not.  To see the state of my foot now is terribly upsetting, especially when it could have been prevented so easily.

“There are so many things I struggle with now.  Even just moving around is difficult.

“I know nothing will fix my foot, but I hope that by speaking out I can help ensure it doesn’t happen to anyone else.”

Support available

Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Months runs throughout April and aims to highlight the impact of such conditions and how those affected are rebuilding their independence.

Find out more about our expertise in supporting people affected by limb loss, whether through care issues or following an accident, at our dedicated amputation claims section. Alternatively to speak to an expert contact us or call 0370 1500 100.