Accident and Emergency: when delays become normal

As a patient, you might be sympathetic of those working in understaffed hospitals. However, delays in admission or assessment at the hospital can be significant if the severity of your condition is not recognised by reception or nursing staff. Whilst waiting to see a doctor for a fracture can result in time spent waiting in pain, for patients with unrecognised and time-sensitive conditions, such as sepsis, cardiac difficulties or a stroke, every minute spent waiting to see a doctor can have negative long-term effects. Delays can have a serious impact on the treatment offered and may result in long-term complications or, in the worst-case scenario, death. This is fast becoming a larger issue when, as is now becoming commonplace, patients can be left waiting for more than four hours to see a doctor.

At Anthony Collins Solicitors, we act for both those who have suffered serious injuries or death as a result of delays in diagnosis or treatment of medical emergencies or their families. We have successfully supported clients in bringing claims against hospitals and GPs in instances where there has been a delay in the diagnosis of a medical condition which has caused an injury or death.

To find out more about the services we provide, please visit our website. If you require any further information or wish to speak to any of our team, please contact Christopher Frankling.

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