I read this morning about a tragic case in which an error made in a Lancashire hospital led to the death of a patient. Paul Shaw, 50, died at the Royal Blackburn Hospital after an intravenous drip was wrongly inserted into his neck.
Mr Shaw had been admitted to the hospital for a routine hernia operation. The intravenous drip was inserted into his carotid artery, which carries blood to the brain, rather than into his jugular vein. Mr Shaw later died from a stroke and blood clot as a result of the insertion of the vascular line.
Mr Shaw’s death has prompted an investigation at the hospital and the inquest, which was opened and adjourned last week, suggests that the mistake contributed to his death.
Medical Director for East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Dr Ian Stanley, commented, “East Lancashire Hospitals Trust would like to express our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Mr Shaw following this tragic incident. We cannot comment on any specific details but can confirm that it is subject to a full investigation.”
Here at Farleys we have a team specialising in Inquests where a loved one may have died as a result of medical negligence and have represented many families in inquest proceedings concerning various local and national hospitals.
Often, meetings with senior healthcare managers following the death of a loved one can be extremely daunting and overwhelming. Our Inquest team is on hand to attend these meetings with you and put forward your concerns. We will guide you through the inquest process and ensure that you secure the answers to the many questions you will undoubtedly be faced with. Together, with our medical negligence solicitors, we will ensure that all possible avenues of enquiry are explored and assist you in obtaining civil damages for the death of a loved one.
For more information or to speak to an inquest solicitor at Farleys today, please contact us.