Asons Comment on Death of Young Mother after Ectopic Pregnancy Misdiagnosis
Bolton, UK (PRWEB UK) 26 July 2013 -- According to the BBC, Mrs Ben-Nejma, who already had two children, visited Maidstone hospital after she was suffering with chronic abdominal pains. At the appointment she was told that she had the stomach bug gastroenteritis and sent home (1). However, after the pain began to worsen, she went back to the hospital in Kent. It was at this point that one doctor began to suspect an ectopic pregnancy, yet because it was the weekend and no staff were on call in the scanning department, Mrs Ben-Nejma was sent home and told to return on Monday (1).
The following day, Mrs Ben-Nejma collapsed, suffered a heart attack and went into cardiac arrest, despite paramedic’s best efforts to revive her. She then went into cardiac arrest for a second time during an emergency operation to remove her fallopian tubes and died shortly after, as reported in the BBC news article (1).
Asons Executive, Suzanne Yates said:
“It is a terrible shame that such a young mother died because of a misdiagnosed ectopic pregnancy. Doctors know how volatile an ectopic pregnancy can be and it needs to be treated as soon as possible to prevent situations such as these from happening.
"The NHS need to re-assess their procedures so that emergency patients can receive adequate levels of care every day of the week.”
The BBC continued to say how the trust had allegedly admitted liability for the death almost immediately and realised their failings in care, agreeing to pay out an undisclosed six figure sum to Mrs Ben-Nejma’s family (1).
Medical director at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, Dr Paul Sigston, commented on the death of the young woman in a statement saying:
"The trust sincerely and unreservedly apologises for the failings that contributed to the death of Mrs Ben-Nejma, following the misdiagnosis of her condition at Maidstone Hospital in 2010.
"In order to ensure that such failings do not happen again the trust has introduced a range of measures, including strengthening the emergency gynaecology service, which is now centralised at Tunbridge Wells Hospital, and as a result of which patients now have better access to senior staff, diagnostic equipment and treatment of emergency situations." (1)
Continuing to comment, Suzanne Yates said:
“As a medical negligence solicitors, we see many cases of ectopic pregnancy misdiagnosis but this case in particular is a terrible tragedy. The NHS have the means to detect and treat this condition, and Rebecca and her family were let down by the system. I hope the compensation that the family have received goes some way to helping them regain some normality in their lives.”
Failure to investigate symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy can be a form of medical negligence. Anyone who has suffered as a result of a misdiagnosed ectopic pregnancy may be able to make a claim for misdiagnosis compensation. To find out more information or to make an ectopic pregnancy claim visit http://www.asons.co.uk or phone 01204 521 133 to speak to one of Asons medical negligence specialist solicitors.
(1) BBC News, Maidstone Hospital's weekend staffing blamed for death, 17th July 2013
bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-23345977
ENDS
About Asons Solicitors:
Asons Solicitors is a Bolton-based law practice that specialises in personal injury and industrial disease claims. Founded by brothers Imran Akram and Kamran Akram, Asons Solicitors has developed to become a young and dynamic law firm that delivers practical solutions to clients in times of difficulty. Their continued focus on their staff has seen them awarded with the Investors in People “Gold Award”; which is reflected in the professional and personable approach they take in working with clients. They strive to grow and to develop, and their supportiveness and attention to detail ensures that their clients use them time and again.
For further information contact:
Email: info(at)asons(dot)co.uk
Website: http://www.asons.co.uk
Imran Akram, Asons Solicitors, http://www.asons.co.uk, 08448501062, [email protected]
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