Lawford Kidd's Blog

An all-new Private Members’ Bill – namely The Negligence and Damages Bill - published by Middlesbrough MP Andy McDonald, is calling England & Wales to follow Scotland by introducing ‘greater fairness’ for bereaved people and victims of psychiatric harm.

It passed, the Bill will extend firstly, the statutory list of relationships in which there is a close tie of love and affection and secondly, the list of family members who should be eligible for bereavement damages. New additions will include civil partners and children over the age of 18.

Helping medical professionals across the United Kingdom avoid the risk of needle-stick injuries is very much the focus of a new drive by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH).

Needle- stick injuries are those caused when, during a medical procedure, a needle accidentally punctures the patient's skin.

Non-profit organisation, the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) believes a change in attitude of National Health Service (NHS) bosses towards compensation claims for medical negligence, would help address Government concerns about the cost the associated litigation.

According to APIL, should the NHS choose to take a more 'professional and efficient approach' to dealing with compensation claims, then major savings could be achieved.

A man has been awarded what is thought to be substantial compensation after his wife died when her cancer was incorrectly diagnosed as an ear infection, reports the Mirror.

Kathleen Howe attended a hospital in Aberystwyth in 2010 after suffering dizzy spells, but was told by the consultant that she had an infection commonly known as ‘swimmer's ear’ and was given ear drops to treat it.

She attended the hospital four more times, but it was only after she was referred to a second hospital that she was diagnosed with cancer. She died in 2012.

The Scottish Parliament has published details of new measures that are designed to improve the safety and rights of patients.

These provisions are contained in a new Health Bill, which includes measures to create a statutory Duty of Candour that would apply to all health and social care organisations.

This would place a duty on organisations to be open when a patient has suffered unintended harm during a period of treatment or care. The Bill also provides for support for all involved, and training for any staff involved in responding to an incident.