NHS Pays Out Millions for Missed Fractures

A recent report shows that the NHS is paying out millions of pounds a year in compensation for broken bones and fractures not spotted in A&E.

Most claims involve injuries to the forearm, hand, and wrist, which contain small bones that make fractures and breaks difficult to spot. If such an injury is left untreated, they can lead to a lifetime of complications and pain.

Figures reveal that missed breaks or inadequate treatment for breaks in the hand alone, has cost the NHS more than £6 million in the past decade, with pay-outs ranging from between £10,000 to £1 million.

The figures come from a Freedom of Information request to two London hospitals; St George's and the Royal Free.

Ashis Banerjee, a retired specialist in emergency medicine who led the study, says one problem is that there are often delays of several days in radiologists reporting back on an X-ray image, by which time bones may already have 'knitted' incorrectly. He added:

"Some fractures are subtle, so all X-rays taken in the majority of emergency departments in the UK are reported on by radiologists.

"But delays in reporting by them may lead to delayed treatment."

Official figures show the UK has just seven radiologists for every 100,000 of the population.

If you have been the victim of misdiagnosis or missed diagnosis, you may be entitled to compensation. Call our London claims team on 0203 206 1133 to find out more.

Broadgate Legal

Misdiagnosis Solicitors