Although it’s your healthcare provider’s responsibility to be there for you throughout your illness or injury and ensure that no further harm comes to you, there is always room for medical practitioners to make mistakes. This is especially true for healthcare provided by the NHS, which has recently made headlines for being deeper in debt to medical negligence claims than ever before.
As a patient, nobody wants to go through further pain, discomfort, and stress only to face a lengthy legal battle with their healthcare provider when resting and recovering at home. While it’s on the shoulders of those working in the healthcare industry to provide patients with the highest possible standard of care, it’s essential to be aware that medical errors have the potential to be made, particularly in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare environments where staff is stretched to working long shifts with short breaks.
By being more aware of their surroundings and understanding the early signs of potential medical malpractice, patients can make significant early changes to help prevent mistakes and the need for a claim.
Overworked, Tired Staff
A considerable percentage of medical negligence claims in the UK, particularly within the NHS, is due to staff members making significant human errors due to overwork and a lack of breaks. Much research has found that taking short breaks helps the brain recover from working and enables us to work more productively and focus over the day. If your doctor hasn’t had a day off for weeks or your nurse is routinely working through her breaks and hasn’t eaten or used the toilet, it can quickly become a recipe for disaster. Don’t be afraid to inform somebody if your healthcare practitioner is making mistakes due to tiredness and overwork.
You’re Not Responding to Treatment
There are several reasons we may not respond to treatments given to us when sick or injured, and it’s important to note that not all are the result of medical negligence UK. However, you should be wary if you are becoming concerned that your doctor has not considered an alternative treatment after your condition has not shown any signs of improvement for some time. Your eligibility for a claim will depend on how long you have gone without being offered an alternative treatment and on any further health complaints that have arisen as a result. As a patient, you can help prevent the need for medical negligence solicitors from getting involved by informing your doctor as early as possible about your concerns. A good doctor will always consider their patient’s concerns, but it’s down to the patient to share them.
Your Concerns Aren’t Being Heard
Have you mentioned your concerns regarding your treatment to your doctor or another healthcare professional, only for nothing to change? Any committed healthcare professionals must listen and respond to any concerns put forward to them by their patients. As a patient, you can usually quickly tell whether or not a doctor or other healthcare practitioner is listening to what you have to say. Suppose you don’t feel you are being taken seriously by your healthcare provider or think your biggest concerns are going ignored. In that case, this could be the beginning of severe medical negligence. Victims of medical negligence in hospitals should contact the best medical negligence solicitors to determine whether or not they already have a claim, then get a second professional opinion on their condition as soon as possible.
You’ve Had No Follow-Up Appointment
After receiving any new medication or undergoing any treatment for an illness or injury, your doctor or another healthcare practitioner should always arrange for you to come back and see them for a follow-up appointment. The purpose of this appointment is to ensure that you are recovering and healing correctly and that the treatment or medication given was proper for you. Suppose you have not been offered a follow-up appointment after receiving treatment. In that case, you could be at risk of further complications or health issues that could have been detected and prevented with a simple check-up. The best thing to do is contact your healthcare provider and arrange a follow-up appointment immediately. If you have gone without further contact with your doctor since treatment, speak to medical negligence lawyers about any potential claim you may have.
Something Doesn’t Feel Right
In certain circumstances, it may not be possible to tell straight away that you have been the victim of medical malpractice. This is often the case when negligence has occurred recently, for example, an error during recent surgery or being switched to a different medication. However, if something feels ‘off’ about your healthcare experience, it may be worth looking into further. The Medical Negligence Experts offer a free patient claim line that you can use to get more information on your situation and gain valuable advice on whether or not you have a claim. Their friendly advisors will review your healthcare experience with you and use the facts you provide to determine your eligibility to pursue a lawsuit in court.
Understanding the early signs and precursors of medical negligence puts patients in a position where they can play a part in preventing mistakes and errors with severe consequences. Remember that if you don’t feel that you are getting the treatment, you need from your healthcare provider, you have every right to make your concerns heard to them. Sometimes, simply speaking out early can help prevent a lengthy and stressful claim down the line.
The Facility Seems Understaffed
If you’re currently in a hospital or making regular visits to a healthcare facility for yourself or your family, look around and determine how well-staffed it is. As discussed above, staff overwork and exhaustion are common factors in many medical malpractice cases today, often thanks to understaffed, stretched facilities. If your healthcare provider seems to be pushed to the limit each time you visit, this is worth keeping an eye on since understaffing can compromise treatments and put patients at a higher risk. However, pursuing a medical negligence lawsuit could help improve the conditions for yourself and other patients and staff.
You’re Seriously Considering a Second Opinion
Usually, patients don’t start thinking about going after a second professional opinion unless they’re pretty sure something is up with the first one. While it can be good to get a second opinion for peace of mind, if you want one because you’re unsure whether or not to trust the diagnosis you have, it could be because you know something isn’t right. Suppose. In that case, you get a second opinion; it’s different from the first one you received; this is usually a sign that the first doctor wasn’t doing their job correctly – especially if a third opinion agrees with the second. Suppose you are actively looking for a second doctor to visit and discuss your condition or have been regularly advised to seek a second opinion by family and friends. In that case, this could be one of the early signs of a medical malpractice claim.
