It is very distressing to receive an unexpected letter or see a news report about an investigation into medical care that could have impacted on you or a family member.

Former patients may see on the news or read in the newspapers that their doctor, surgeon or other medical professional is being investigated and their past work reviewed.

Or patients can receive a letter from an NHS trust, private hospital or other medical authority (such as the Royal College of Surgeons), explaining that as part of an investigation the care and treatment they received is being independently reviewed.

The letter may ask former patients to return for a medical assessment or it may simply say that the care has already been reviewed and was found to be of a poor standard.

In recent years Birchall Blackburn Law’s Healthcare & Clinical Risk team has seen a significant number of high-profile investigations and reviews into negligent care given by hospitals, care homes, GPs, nurses, doctors, surgeons, care staff and other medical professionals. Some of these investigations relate to incidents dating back many years, revealing historical evidence of negligent treatment and care.

The most recent (September 2022) to gain media attention is an investigation into former Salford Royal Hospital consultant spinal surgeon, John Bradley Williamson, and his treatment of patients.

One of his patients was BBC actor, Ruth Madeley, who was left with chronic pain and fatigue after years of spinal operations by the spinal surgeon.

In August (2022), several of the spinal surgeon’s former patients were called in for an assessment by surgeons at the Northern Care Alliance Trust, which now runs the Salford Royal Hospital. Among these was Ruth Madeley. She was diagnosed with spina bifida as a baby and first operated on by Mr Williamson at the age of 11. She eventually had nine operations throughout her teenage and young adulthood years.

If you receive such a letter or see a media report that suggests you may have received negligent treatment or care, the first thing to do is find out about your rights. You can do this by contacting a specialist clinical negligence solicitor with experience in supporting and helping patients under these circumstances.

I have acted for several patients who have seen news reports or received letters from both private and NHS hospitals. I am presently involved in a case where there has been a Royal College of Surgeons’ review of a surgeon’s practice. This is happening many years after the treatment in question. At the moment we have agreed a limitation amnesty and agreed liability in our client’s favour, so I have first-hand knowledge and experience in dealing with these complicated and distressing issues.

To find out that medical care, you believed to be appropriate and necessary at the time, may have been in some way of a poor standard and even negligent can be frightening and confusing. I am more than happy to provide free and confidential initial advice about medical investigations and whether you could have a case for compensation to help and support you. Simply call, email or request a call back and I will be in touch. There are no obligations.

It is really important to contact an experienced clinical negligence solicitor as soon as possible. There is a strict time limit for making a compensation claim for injury or illness caused by negligent medical care and treatment.

A patient has only three years from the date of the negligent treatment or care, or from the date of when they first became aware that they had suffered injury or illness because of the negligence.

Even if you do not have any symptoms of ill health or injury at the moment, there could still be long-term repercussions that are yet to develop. A surgical error or omission could need correcting before issues develop. Find out about your rights now and seek some legal advice.

If you receive a letter or news of an investigation into poor treatment and care in a clinical setting (such as a hospital or care home) or by a medical professional (such as a doctor or care assistant), our Healthcare & Clinical Risk team can act quickly to get you answers.

• We will seek to contact the hospital immediately
• Discover the scope of the investigation
• Confirm the investigation’s processes
• What medical records were reviewed
• Who were the medical experts instructed to assist the investigation
• How the conclusion of the investigation was reached
• We will obtain your medical records
• Assess the care and treatment you were provided
• Assess whether additional injury or illness occurred as a result of any poor care or treatment
• Assess whether the injury or illness was avoidable
• Pursue a compensation claim for you, if appropriate

Knowing that your treatment and care is under investigation can be a worry. It is important to seek support if you feel you need it. Often a hospital will offer you counselling but we can also signpost you to other services that will help you cope at such a difficult time.

If you have received a notification letter from a hospital or seen a news report that concerns treatment you have received, please do not hesitate to call Andrew Taylor on 01772 552 253 or email ajtaylor@birchallblackburn.co.uk for free and confidential initial advice with no obligations.