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What now - any advice?

User
Posted 18 Mar 2019 at 19:44
Good luck
"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard
User
Posted 11 Apr 2019 at 10:45

Today I received a copy of the corrected TRUS biopsy report via SAR. I was, and still am, shocked to read the one line comment on the 20 cores (10mm - 18mm lengths) "Histological slides show prostatic tissue with a few foci of high grade PIN."


What a vast difference my actual TRUS biopsy report is compared with the wrong biopsy report indicating that I had 40 - 70% adenocarcinoma in 14 cores, which led me to make a decision to remove my prostate gland.


While I am aware that high grade PIN is a precursor to prostate cancer, there would be no need for me to make a Gadarene rush to take drastic action. I would have had several choices available to me, such as active monitoring, watchful waiting, surveillance, etc. Even though pathological examination of my prostate gland revealed two ardenocarcinoma spots measuring 2mm and 3mm, these formed only less than 1% (1cc.) of the volume of my prostate gland.


I could have kept my prostate gland for much longer, maybe for a good number of years, but there I go. I am now waiting for the SIRI report. It is at present in the hands of the CCG. I expect to receive it next week.


I need to sit down, have a cup of coffee and reflect on the situation, especially on what could have been but never will be.


Rafael


He who lives, loves and knows what it means to die - Jiddu Krishnamurti 

Edited by member 11 Apr 2019 at 11:26  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 11 Apr 2019 at 13:03
Hi Rafael,

Of course, they can’t tell you about the other guy who got the all-clear(ish) biopsy, who was probably skipping around on AS until the balls-up was identified. He must be devastated too.

Do I think anyone will get the bullet for this heinous error? Doubt it. Has a formal investigation been started to save others falling into the same trap?

I hope you get all the rest of the information soon and an apology ££££?, so you can achieve some form of closure and move on.

Cheers, John.
User
Posted 11 Apr 2019 at 17:50
I am so sorry Rafael, how devastating this news must be. You seem to be remarkably pragmatic about it - are you screaming in private?
"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard
User
Posted 11 Apr 2019 at 22:18

Screaming in private? No, I am hissing and containing my fury. I am taking note of what my mother, God rest her soul, told me years ago - "It's done and there's nothing you can do. Get a move on." It was true for her era but times have changed.


At the same time, it is important to keep a cool head and gather all information that I need in  preparation to sue the hospital. I am not by nature a spiteful or vindictive person but in this case I am truly hurt and angry. My wife is very upset too, knowing she encouraged me to take the RP path based on the results.of another patient's biopsy. She shares the feeling of regret and dismay with me.


Once I get hold of the SIRI report, I will be in a good position to make my move.


Regards


Rafael


 


He who lives, loves and knows what it means to die - Jiddu Krishnamurti 

User
Posted 11 Apr 2019 at 22:39

Hi John, I have not got the foggiest about the other guy. Although I do feel for him, I am blocking him out.


The SIRI report should tell us what happened and what steps they are taking it from future re-occurrence. I have been informed it will not refer to the victims of the mixup and how they propose to compensate them. Let's wait and see what the report says.


 


Regards


Rafael


 


He who lives, loves and knows what it means to die  - Jiddu Krishnamurti 

User
Posted 12 Apr 2019 at 08:16
You've been the innocent victim of a devastating error, Rafael. It's bad enough being diagnosed with cancer; I can't even begin to imagine how you must be feeling about having had life-changing surgery that's turned out to be completely unnecessary. Your anger is completely understandable.

All I suppose anyone can say is that there's nothing that can be done to reverse it, so it's important not to let it dominate your life. Take the compensation - which I hope will be a LARGE sum - and have a damned good time with it.

Very best wishes,

Chris
User
Posted 12 Apr 2019 at 13:12

Chris,


You're taking the same approach as my wife! I agree entirely that I need to get compensated for the mixup that led to my situation.


I note that the compensation range that the NHS have given for people in my situation or similar is between £30,000 to £135,000 according to one website. This kind of offer is way below what I have in mind as I have included the impact on my wife as a part of the package for my claim. I just need a good solicitor and he/she is hard to find at the moment.


I will wait for the SIRI report and take it up from there. Thank you for your support.


 


Regards


Rafael


 


He who lives, loves and knows what it means to die  - Jiddu Krishnamurti

User
Posted 12 Apr 2019 at 16:46
Rafael,

There are a plethora of medical negligence solicitors, so one shouldn’t be too hard to find. Go for a big firm on a contingency fee basis as you are bound to win. Slater and Gordon spring to mind.

Yes, get Mrs Rafael to describe the detrimental effect of your present condition on her life. Her Loveliness, in contrast, seems quite relieved that I have total ED following Professor Whocannotbenamedhere’s ministrations.....She always had karate elbows anyway😉.

You could be looking at a suite at Sandy Lane in perpetuity at this rate!

Cheers, John.
User
Posted 12 Apr 2019 at 17:21

Hi John, of course there are numerous solicitors around - many good, many bad, many greedy and many charitable. I am not interested in taking on contingency solicitors as it would often mean a loss of 25% of compo and often that 25% is not fully recoverable.


I am prepared to pay a solicitor on hourly basis with the provisio that I recover costs on winning the case. At the very moment, the NHS has practically put its hands up but it has not got around to sending me a letter of apology and offering compensation. I somehow have a confident feeling that I can settle the matter directly with the NHS without needing a solicitor. A solicitor would be needed if the NHS compensation offered is derisory. Wait an see when I start to make the move.


I will let PCUK know of my progress.


 


Rafael 


 


He who lives, loves and knows what it means to die  - Jiddu Krishnamurti 


 

User
Posted 12 Apr 2019 at 22:53

I am about to put a spanner in the works. Your mother was absolutely right. It’s happened, get on with life. Will you honestly feel better after receiving a huge compensation payout? Yes, you have endured unnecessary surgery but at the end of the day you still have your life ahead of you. I would be grateful for just that! 

User
Posted 13 Apr 2019 at 15:00

Mona,


My mother was also well known for telling people that "Money is not everything but it helps." However, for me I would give good money to have my pre-RP condition back. Knowing that it is not possible, I now live in the knowledge that the quality of life ahead is not much better than the one I anticipated before the op (for me at least). You and others may hold different views and I will respect your views.


Regards


Rafael


 


He who lives, loves and knows what it means to die  - Jiddu Krishnamurti 

User
Posted 13 Apr 2019 at 15:52
Like many others, I despise the ambulance chasing culture whereby individuals are encouraged to sue GPs, NHS trusts or professionals in other sectors due to perceived wrongs, hurt feelings and quite minor errors. However, the NHS compensation scheme exists to acknowledge the suffering caused by major failings in practice or procedure and there can be no doubt that there has been a major failing with serious implications in your case, Rafael. This is demonstrated by the fact that it met the threshold for a SIRI and you & your family deserve every penny you get.
"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard
User
Posted 13 Apr 2019 at 16:09

Rafael


Like Lyn, I too despise those who sue the NHS for nonsensical reasons, but in your case I would totally support it. What has been done to you is nothing short of horrendous. I hope you get loads of money, nothing could compensate you for what you and your wife have lost, not really. But you do deserve to get a decent pay out to reflect this huge loss. My heart goes out to you both. 


Love to you both 


Devonmaid xxxx

User
Posted 13 Apr 2019 at 18:50

My husband and myself would be b****y raging if this had happened to us. Although yes the NHS shouldn't be having to fork out for compensation I don't see how else they can be held accountable. Surely if no one claimed they wouldn't be as bothered about making mistakes.


Sometimes it's only by hitting them in their pockets that gets things improved for future patients. After all the NHS seems to be run by bean counters these days. It does not seem a waste of money when I just read today in the papers that HS2 may not go ahead when 4 billion pounds has already been spent so far. (Including large chunk on buying a famous comedian's mansion )


Hope you get a decent payout. 


Ann 


 

User
Posted 13 Apr 2019 at 19:48
The compensation scheme is run separately - each Trust pays into a membership pot and the Resolution scheme pays out. It also covers the legal bills where a trust is defending a claim. The resolution scheme also monitors cases to ensure that lessons are learned by the individuals / trust but also nationally if relevant.

Private providers delivering services on behalf of the NHS can also opt in if they wish.
"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard
User
Posted 13 Apr 2019 at 22:08
I read in the papers that in the last three years exactly half of the yearly NHS budget was immediately allocated to complaints and suing. In fact I was actively encouraged to sue the NHS by AXA for obvious misdiagnosis two years prior to my surgery. They believed I had a very creditable case. I didn’t pursue as I didn’t think I could handle the stress tbh , but a totally ignored psa of 4 to 6 at 46 yrs old, and then given testosterone for two years. We could be living in a mansion !! I try not to look backwards anymore. What is done is done
User
Posted 13 Apr 2019 at 22:13
And I detest insurance companies in general ( legalised fraud ) , so wouldn’t want them to benefit in any way from our beautiful NHS. Everyone makes mistakes , especially if they are given 1/4 of the time they need to do their job properly
User
Posted 14 Apr 2019 at 02:31
Leeds & York NHS Partnership Trust paid a £260,000 premium for the compensation scheme in the financial year 2017/18. Their total income was £141 million. The compensation scheme paid out £31 million to patients as a result of medical claims / errors in the Leeds trust.

Apparently, nationally the majority of money is paid out for maternity / obstetric mistakes leading to the death of a baby or permanent disability, or serious harm / death to the mother.
"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard
User
Posted 14 Apr 2019 at 07:32

I really do hate it when people complain and seek to make a quick £ from very stretched state services such as the NHS or our schools.  But sometimes massive injustice and incompetence occurs and sometimes people get hurt.  You have been irreversibly injured and your life, no matter how positive you try to be, will never be the same.  I even wonder if the NHS is guilty of grievous bodily harm, because that’s what’s been done to you.  Living without natural erections and with dry orgasms is not easy, but st least I can accept it was the price that had to be paid in exchange for life.  I would be driven to despair in your case.  You have every right to be angry and I think in some ways you’re being too soft with the hospital.  I’d be off to a solicitor right away if I were you.

 
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