SR v Aintree University Hospitals NHS Trust
Facts of the case
Our Client was referred to the Cardiology Department at University Hospital Aintree, by her GP, in view of palpitations and an abnormal ECG showing intermittent left bundle branch block (LBBB). This was investigated by the department of cardiology and despite extensive investigations, no structural abnormality of her heart was documented. Despite the extensive and detailed investigations, her thyroid hormone level was not measured.
6 months later our Client presented with cardiac symptoms at A+E including palpitations. Her hospital medical records confirmed that a detailed assessment was undertaken for her symptoms and a plan to measure thyroid hormones recorded and a blood sample sent to the laboratory for analysis. These results showed that at the time of her presentation, her thyroid hormone levels were profoundly low with her TSH 270.93, free T4 4.4. However there is no record that these results were ever reviewed and there was no communication to our client’s GP.
At a later date our client’s thyroid function was checked in a pre-anaesthetic clinic at Fazakerley Hospital. She was due to undergo a surgical operation due to lower back pain she had been suffering from for some time.
The Surgeon, wrote to her GP stating that this lady was due to undergo surgery but when she was in the pre-operative assessment clinic, it was noticed that her thyroid function tests from last year were abnormal with a high TSH and a low T4. On repeating the test this time, this is still a problem with a free T4 of 4.4. As such her surgery had to be cancelled. Before surgery could be relisted she required treatment with thyroxine and her thyroid function brought to normal limits in order to undergo anaesthetic.
Our client was commenced on thyroxine 100mg and eventually underwent her delayed surgery 6 months later.
We obtained independent expert evidence from a Consultant Physician, Specialising in Diabetes and endocrinology in order to investigate the standard of the hospitals treatment.
Thereafter a Letter of Claim was sent to the Trust alleging that:
- When our client was referred to their cardiology department with palpitations there was a failure to measure her thyroid hormone levels, despite the fact that these are associated with cardiac abnormalities.
- When our client attended the Accident and Emergency Department at University Hospital Aintree with cardiac symptoms including palpitations, her thyroid hormone levels were measured. The test identified the fact that these were profoundly low but there was a failure to act upon these results and/or refer them to her GP. The failure to act upon these profoundly abnormal thyroid hormone results was below the standard of care and was a breach of duty.
Following service of the Letter of Claim liability was admitted and the Defendant made an offer to settle the whole of the claim in the sum of £1500 arguing that the effects of the delay were limited.
We obtained Independent medical evidence in order to investigate the impact of the delay from a thyroid and orthopaedic perspective.
This concluded that our client was grossly hypothyroid for the period of delay (18 months), and that during this period she was unnecessarily suffering from symptoms which included lethargy, weight gain, feeling cold, mood disturbance, breathlessness on exertion and generalised aches and pains.
Additionally during the period of time surgery was delayed (6 months) she was suffering from continuing moderate to severe degree of back pain,
Following disclosure of expert evidence and negotiation, a settlement in the sum of £20,000 was agreed by the Parties, without the need for Court Proceedings to be commenced.
Gregory Abrams Davidson are Solicitors who specialise in obtaining compensation for clients who have sustained injuries as a result of Medical Negligence. We deal with claims for compensation against hospitals (both NHS and Private), dentists, general practitioners, pharmacists and opticians. We have offices in Liverpool City Centre, Allerton and Golders Green, London.We offer a free initial case assessment and No Win No Fee Funding is available. Please contact a member of our Medical Negligence new enquiries team on 0151 733 3353, email info@gadlegal.co.uk
