We are all aware of the unprecedented pressures currently on the NHS, with understaffed, underfunded hospitals struggling to manage the high patient volumes that the winter months tend to bring in.
However, a recent report by the Office for National Statistics shows that 1 in 8 adults reported that they paid for private medical care due to the long waiting lists or delayed treatment on the NHS, with 5% of the 13% claiming on their private medical insurance and the remaining 7% footing the bill themselves.
1 in 5 of people surveyed said that they had been on an NHS waiting list for over a year. A spokesperson for the NHS expressed their concerns on Times Radio recently, stating that the long waiting times could be causing between 300-500 deaths per week.
A & E departments are at breaking point too with over 30,000 patients sitting in A&E wards for over 12 hours before being treated. In December 2022, an 85-year-old patient waited 14 hours for an ambulance to attend after a fall at her home. She then waited a further 26 hours before being taken to A&E. She was eventually diagnosed and treated for a broken hip.
There are now paramedic strikes and nurses strikes to contend with – leading to further delay for patients in need of medical care.
Delayed Cancer Diagnosis
One of the major concerns are the NHS delays in undertaking routine appointments, check-ups and screenings, meaning that people with cancer are left waiting to obtain the treatment that they so desperately need.
A delayed diagnosis of any type of cancer can rule out certain treatments or surgery if the cancer spreads or progresses during that time. In most cases, the earlier the cancer can be identified the better chance of survival. This is why it is so crucial that patients can see their GPs, get prompt referrals to specialists and move quickly towards treatment.
Cardiac Delays
The British Heart Foundation has released a report confirming that disruption in the NHS is the cause of a spike in heart disease deaths. The charity has confirmed that inaccessible care, long surgery waiting lists and ambulance delays are linked to 30,000 excess cardiac deaths in England.
The lack of face-to-face GP appointments and hospital care during the lockdowns may have also contributed to these figures, as patients’ conditions are now far more advanced than they would have been. The charity concluded that the average waiting time for an ambulance in the cases of suspected heart attack was 48 minutes!
Impact of Delayed Treatment
Long waiting lists create a perfect storm of chaos for the NHS, as delayed diagnosis or treatment can then result in emergency care being required, putting ambulance crews and A&E departments under more pressure than they are already under.
A delayed diagnosis or treatment can mean;
- More pain, discomfort and suffering for the patient
- A wider impact on the family who need to provide care and support
- Loss of earnings if someone is unable to work or is required to take long periods of leave
- Unfavourable prognosis or survival rate
- Limited treatment or surgical options
- Longer recovery time
- Deterioration of mental and physical health
- Poor quality of life
If you or someone you care about is suffering due to a delay in treatment, then you might be thinking about making an official complaint or taking legal action.
Making a Compensation Claim
If you have suffered negligent treatment then you might wish to pursue a claim for compensation.
To speak to a medical negligence lawyer today, free of charge without any obligation, please call 01256 844888 or email enquiries@lambbrooks.com with a brief overview and your contact details.
Our dedicated team are highly experienced in dealing with negligence cases that involve delayed treatment or errors made at both private and NHS hospitals. We work on a no win, no fee basis, so there is no risk of further loss. All claims are handled locally, meaning that you do not have to deal with a call centre, but will have a dedicated lawyer working on your case and updating you throughout each stage.
Call Lamb Brooks on 01256 844888, email enquiries@lambbrooks.com or alternatively you can submit and online form or engage with our online chat assistant, who is a real person, live on our website 24/7.
The contents of this article are for the purposes of general awareness only. The 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.