Hospital misprescription error left woman with a range of symptoms including depression and insomnia - £10k compensation
Boyes Turner's medical negligence solicitors acted for a woman who underwent neurosurgery to remove a benign brain tumour in June 2008. When she was discharged from hospital by an F2/Senior House Officer, she was prescribed Dexamethasone (a steroid) which she collected from the hospital pharmacy.
Misprescription Error
The handwritten discharge summary which was sent to the pharmacy to advise them of the medication to be dispensed, stated that she would require a tapering dose of Dexamethasone and that she should then continue on a maintenance dose until her post-operative follow-up appointment in the outpatient clinic. It specifically advised that our client should take "4mg twice a day for 4 days and then 4mg once a day, continue maintenance dose (to clinic)".
Whilst waiting for follow-up at the hospital, she began to experience a range of symptoms. Over a three month period she gained weight, suffered with a "moon-face" and had trouble using her arms and legs because of achy feeling in them. She felt constantly tired and grew facial hair. She also suffered with swelling of her fingers and her skin became dry and thin. As a result of depression arising from these physical changes, she began to take anti-depressants prescribed by her GP and sleeping tablets to help with insomnia.
The hospital follow-up appointment took place on 1 October 2008. The Consultant who saw her at that appointment confirmed that it was instantly apparent that she was still taking the steroid medication and that in fact, she should only have been prescribed it for one to two weeks after being discharged from hospital.
Medical Negligence Compensation
She brought a claim against the hospital for negligence which was funded by way of a Conditional Fee Agreement, backed up with After the Event insurance. Medical records were obtained and assessed and because of the strength of the case, expert opinion was not sought. A Letter of Claim was sent to the hospital along with an offer of £10k to settle the claim. The offer was accepted.
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