Claiming for medical negligence.

Dox

frannyj543 wrote: »

While the hospital in question have dodged the meeting for the past 14 months I haven't once contacted them. I just waited.

It has literally taken what will be 15.5 months to have a sit down with them just to understand what procedures where taken and how things can go wrong. That's all I'm looking.

If you 'haven't once contacted them' in 14 months, how could the hospital know how anxious you were for a meeting? If someone does nothing for over a year, then complains it has taken over 15 months 'to have a sit down with them', it does sound remarkably as if you were trying to add to your store of grievances. What other conclusion could anyone draw?

Perhaps some professional counselling to help you come to terms with the death of your mother at such a horribly young age might be the way forward, coupled with your meeting with the hospital.

To say now that you used the title you did to 'hook people in' is frankly a nonsense.

You don't have to explain or justify yourself to anyone on this forum, but perhaps being honest with yourself might be the best help going.

Brynsam

frannyj543 wrote: »

At the moment we have a meeting planned with the hospital after 18 months of asking questions.

I'm confused - in your latest post you say you haven't contacted them for 14 months?

System

First things first.

14 months ago I asked them for a meeting. I sent emails I made phone calls. Always told someone will be in touch. Time passes nobody was in touch.

Around 3 weeks ago we were finally told someone would meet with us to discuss it. Previous time we had been told someone will contact us back.

Secondly I don't need counselling to ask a question. How dare someone say I need counselling just because I would like an explanation. I might not be a doctor which is why I'm looking an explanation however what makes you a psychologist.

I have taken on board the constructive feedback. However I still want my question answered and if that is too much for people to expect then don't comment.

Get on with your lives if you have no advice/feedback or information on the topic don't reply. Don't challenge me telling me I'm wrong to want an explanation.

I'm not asking my mechanic why he said my engine was working perfect only 1 hour later for it to be faulty. I'm talking about a life.

I worked 60 hours a week and travel around Europe with work so I can't be phoning the hospital every 5 minutes to demand answers. As I've stated an explanation won't bring my mother back but that doesn't mean I am not entitled to one is it?

Just because I haven't said ok I won't ask any questions and I will just roll back under a stone and leave the glorious NHS to continue to work it's magic doesn't mean I haven't listened to the actual people who have provided some useful input.

Honestly people must have so little to do these days than to just jump onto a thread were they have nothing to say only give off about the title or about something I've said.

My posts before were certainly not angry but this one is. So many people judging. Probably haven't been in the same situation. So many people have so little empathy or understanding that they shouldn't even be on this forum giving advice.

Thanks again to the constructive feedback. For those who had no input on the question my reasons and to say I'm trying to take my problems out on the NHS and find someone to blame. Bye

unholyangel

OP, what did the post mortem actually say? Did the post mortem indicate that she was admitted to hospital with a heart issue? I would be surprised if this is the case but what I'm trying to get at is that its possible what she was admitted with wasn't heart related and that she unfortunately just went on to have a heart attack or heart failure.

Unfortunately even if they have made a mistake, they're not necessarily negligent. If they acted in accordance with policy/took a course of action that is generally accepted as a reasonable course to take amongst professionals of their level (a junior or trainee doctor won't be held to the same standard as a specialist senior consultant would) then they're unlikely to be found negligent, even if there is a body of professionals with an alternative view.

I'm not saying don't try and get answers, I just want to ensure you're not pinning your hopes on this in case it provides more questions than answers and doesn't provide the comfort you're seeking from it.

kingfisherblue

My mum had a heart attack over three years ago. I was with her at the time. We had been watching a quiz show on TV and talking, and she needed to go to the toilet. When sshe came back, she leaned against the wall and said that she thought she needed an ambulance. The paramedics than spent over an hour before taking her to hospital - they didn't thin that she had had a heart attack, although she was on medication for angina and had felt an uncomfortable (not painful) sensation in her chest. My mum needed a stent in an artery which was damaged.


Several years ago, following an angina attack for which he had been admitted, my friend's dad had a massive heart attack in front of the consultant, who was in the process of discharging him. The angina attack had been a few days earlier, and he had been kept in for additional investigation because of a family history of sudden death by heart attacks. As the consultant was sitting by his bed, saying that nothing had been found, he had a heart attack and died. There was nothing that the hospital could do. There were no indications that he would have the attack.



I'm saying this because it is quite possible that there were no signs of an upcoming heart attack an hour before your mum had hers.



Also, if your mum had long term health problems, it is quite normal to check other organs. My mum now has regular check ups and it's not just her heart that is checked, although it is a heart review. She has all her major organs reviewed, including liver, kidneys and lungs. Admittedly she is older than your mum, but I don't think that it is uncommon for doctors to order extra checks.



You do come across as angry, although I appreciate that you don't think you do. I can understand that. I'd be angry too. I'm one of those people who has to have an answer for everything. I suspect that you may be too. Unfortunately there isn't always an answer. Sometimes it's just the way it is.



I can't say that the hospital or a member of staff was negligent, but I can say that it is unlikely.



I hope that you find peace.

-taff

frannyj543 wrote: »

Honestly people must have so little to do these days than to just jump onto a thread were they have nothing to say only give off about the title or about something I've said.

But what you've said is all people have to go on. And you have certainly come across angry to me, even to the thread title. That doesn't scream 'at peace with it' to me.
I hope you get your answers but think you may have to accept that you may not.

Margot123

Having known someone in this situation, I fully understand how the frustration can manifest as anger.

Once the process was started on finding some answers, the frustrations subsided. The doctors engaged with the bereaved and offered explanations (not excuses) This 'humanising' of those that tried their best for the deceased was the defining factor that helped the bereaved come to terms with the death.

OP. I hope you get some peace soon.

fibonarchie

49's no age.. but we haven't got all the facts, and none of us are medics. I guess you 've tried writing to them, OP? That might be better than phonecalls.

iammumtoone

I am sorry for your loss.

By the tone of your posts if seems as you are seeking answers, I think you need to come to terms with you will never get an answer as to why. Heart attacks can happen with no warning, the heart can be fine one minute and not the next.

What you do need and will get are explanations, this is not the same as an answer as to why, but you need to understand what they did and the reasons for that.

14 months does seem a long time but from an outsiders point of view I can see why it might be more constructive to wait that long before this kind of meeting. Too soon and many people would not have understood or taken in what is said to them as the situation would be too raw. Of course the NHS can't site this as a reason for delay as that would upset the family more.

I hope you get closure after your meeting. I suggest you write down what you want to ask.

kingfisherblue

It may also be worth pointing out that a heart attack doesn't necessarily mean a problem with the heart. My mum's was caused by a small blockage in the artery, rather than the heart itself.