For many people life still feels as though it is ‘on hold’ due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Although schools have reopened and some businesses start to pull up their shutters over the coming weeks, many people suffering major health problems are still left waiting for a diagnosis and treatment.
Covid-19 has put an additional strain on our already pressured NHS. It has led to some hospital referrals, appointments, surgeries, and treatments being delayed for some cancer patients.
Furthermore, the message to ‘stay home’ and general anxiety over the pandemic has put lots of people off attending hospital appointments or seeing their GP for advice. With one in two adults in the UK expected to develop cancer at some point in their lifetime, there is likely to be a huge impact on diagnosis and treatment due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
A recent poll from Cancer Research UK and Cardiff University found that over half of people with cancer symptoms did not visit their GP last Spring. 41% of people who found an unusual lump and 31% of people who coughed up blood failed to contact or attend their GP surgery.
Is There a Clinical Negligence Claim?
If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with cancer, which you believe should have been picked up on earlier, you may decide to pursue a claim for clinical negligence.
You may believe that a GP has failed to take concerns seriously, failed to see you in person, failed to make a referral in good time or misdiagnosed you with a different condition. It may be that you have had an appointment cancelled or a procedure postponed, or perhaps your scan was not reviewed properly.
It is so important that cancer is spotted and treated early. Studies by Best Medical Journal, which is a global healthcare knowledge provider, show that minimising delays to treatment could drastically improve cancer survival rates. The risk of death is increased by around 10% for every month that cancer treatment is delayed.
Many people with cancer have experienced cancelations and delays due to the Covid-19 pandemic. If a cancer diagnosis has been delayed and we can prove that an earlier diagnosis would have resulted in a better outcome, then you may have a claim for clinical negligence.
What to do if You Wish to Pursue a Claim
If you wish to discuss a potential claim then please speak to one of our friendly, local lawyers today.
Our team have the knowledge and experience needed to take your case forward and push for the best possible outcome.
Obviously, no amount of compensation is going to be able to reverse the way you have been treated or change your prognosis. However, financial remedy can help in other way such as cover any financial losses or expenses you have incurred and will incur in the future.
Most importantly, your claim raises the concerns to the medical providers and could prevent the same thing happening to another family.
Call our clinical negligence experts on 01256 844888, email enquiries@lambbrooks.com or speak to our online chat assistant who can take some initial information and put you in touch with a specialist clinical negligence lawyer.
Lamb Brooks is an independent high street law firm, which means that you will deal directly with your appointed lawyer and their assistant. There are no call centres, no generic email addresses or prolonged decision making. You case will be dealt with in-house and you would be kept up to date regularly.
Other Articles You May Be Interested in Reading:
Highlights of Recent Clinical Negligence Cases
1 Million Breast Screenings Missed Due to Covid-19
6 Signs You May Have a Medical Negligence Claim
The contents of this article are for the purposes of general awareness only. They do not purport to constitute legal or professional advice. The law may have changed since this article was published. Readers should not act on the basis of the information included and should take appropriate professional advice upon their own particular circumstances.