Medicine isn’t an exact science and NHS staff work extremely hard to provide the best healthcare service possible. However, patients are entitled to a standard of care, which sadly isn’t always provided warns England’s health Ombudsman.
Here we summarise a recent update from the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) and detail what your options are if you have been affected.
There Have Been Repeated Failures
The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) has warned that repeated mistakes in the way radiology scans are being reviewed and interpreted are causing harm to patients, including delays in cancer diagnosis, unnecessary operations, and avoidable deaths.
The most frequently occurring issues are doctors failing to identify an abnormality, scans not being carried out or delayed, and results not being properly followed up. This includes scans such as X-rays and CTs.
In 2021, the Ombudsman published a report – ‘Unlocking Solutions in Imaging: working together to learn from failings in the NHS’ – which recommended system-wide improvements.
Since the report was published, there has been progress but still instances of sub-optimal care which has had devastating consequences for some. In fact, more than 45 similar complaints of substandard treatment or care have been upheld or partly upheld by the Ombudsman.
The Ombudsman is now warning that lessons must be learned to avoid mistakes like this happening in future.
The NHS Response
When asked about the recent warning, an NHS spokesperson said:
“The NHS had delivered a record number of tests and checks in 2024, a fifth more than pre-pandemic but we know there is more to do to improve the recognition and response of serious health issues.”
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson also added:
“Our deepest sympathies are with all those who have been affected by the failings highlighted in this shocking report.”
What is the PHSO?
The PHSO independently investigates complaints about the NHS in England, as well as other UK government departments or public organisations.
It publishes casework decisions after completing investigations into complaints raised about hospitals, GPs and dentists with the aim of sharing learnings and preventing mistakes occurring in the future.
A free service that is open to everyone, its mission is to ‘reveal the truth’ and to ‘create change’.
Has Your Scan Been Misread?
If you, or someone you love, have had a scan misread then you may be eligible for compensation.
At Howells, we specialise in personal injury and clinical negligence claims. Contact us to discuss your needs further and to see if you have a case.
