A recent inquiry under the Freedom of Information Act targeting the Mid and South Essex Hospital Trust, responsible for overseeing Southend, Basildon, and Broomfield hospitals, has unveiled a series of concerning “never events” that took place between April 1 and December 31 of the previous year.
“Never events” are defined as preventable errors that should never occur. One incident involved a patient undergoing a lumpectomy, a procedure designed to eliminate potentially cancerous cells, but performed at the wrong site. A lumpectomy involves the surgical removal of a breast tumour along with surrounding tissue. The consequences of such a mistake range from incomplete removal of cancerous cells to the extreme scenario of operating on the wrong breast entirely.
In addition to this grave error, the inquiry, instigated by medical negligence solicitors Blackwater Law, revealed three separate instances of patients having incorrect skin lesions removed. Such errors could prolong a patient’s exposure to a potentially cancerous lesion unnecessarily.
Furthermore, there was an incident where a naso/gastric tube, typically used for feeding or administering medication, was misplaced, undetected prior to the administration of feed or medication. Another mishap involved a patient receiving anaesthesia intended for a different hip before surgery.
The Freedom of Information inquiry did not specify the precise hospital where these incidents occurred. These revelations highlight a significant concern regarding medical negligence, urging for increased vigilance and accountability in healthcare practices to safeguard patient well-being.
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