An error occurred during surgery when a surgeon mistakenly removed the wrong part of a cancer patient’s bowel, mistaking a tattoo for a medical marking. This incident took place at Ysbyty Gwynedd hospital in Bangor, North Wales. The surgeon performed an extended right hemicolectomy instead of the intended left-sided surgery, resulting in the removal of a healthy section of bowel instead of the cancerous tissue.
Following the mistake, a health board report stated that the surgeon removed the segment of bowel without cancer. The patient underwent further examinations in preparation for additional surgery. The incident was classified as a “never event,” which refers to a preventable occurrence that should not happen if safety protocols are followed in healthcare settings.
In the period between April and July last year, a total of 139 never events were reported in the NHS. Another case involved a cancer patient being informed of a procedure on the wrong area at Wrexham’s Maelor Hospital, with an ongoing investigation into the matter.
The internal health board report revealing these incidents will be discussed by health authorities. Individuals who believe they have experienced a never event can seek compensation from the NHS. To make a successful compensation claim, claimants must prove that healthcare providers failed in their duty of care and that the harm resulted from the negligence.
Claimants must demonstrate that the healthcare professional did not meet the expected standards. Compensation may cover pain, loss of amenity, loss of earnings, and other expenses resulting from the alleged negligence. Personal injury claims have a three-year limitation period, requiring claims to be filed within three years of the negligence or awareness of harm.
