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NHS Blunder: Nearly 100 Wrong-Site Surgeries Revealed
18 Jan
Summary
- Nearly 100 patients had surgery on the wrong body part last year.
- 237 'never events', serious medical errors, were admitted by NHS.
- NHS paid £15.7 million in compensation for surgical errors.
A concerning number of NHS patients, nearly 100, underwent surgery on the incorrect body part within a six-month span last year. This alarming statistic is part of 237 major medical errors, termed 'never events,' officially acknowledged by hospitals between April and September. These incidents ranged from operating on the wrong patient to removing the wrong organ, underscoring critical lapses in care.
These 'never events,' which include foreign objects left in patients and incorrect procedures, should ideally never occur. The revelations came to light through Freedom of Information requests, exposing the severity of these blunders. In response, legal bodies stressed the importance of compensation for victims and ensuring their access to justice.
Separate figures reveal the significant financial burden, with the NHS paying £15.7 million to settle claims arising from surgical errors. An NHS spokesperson affirmed that robust procedures are in place to investigate incidents and take action, alongside continuous efforts to enhance patient safety through training and clearer standards.
