Urgent Reform Of Maternity Care Called For After Increase In Clinical Negligence Cases
Pregnancy and childbirth should be a joyful and happy time, but sadly this is not always the case. Poor maternity care is becoming a more common and widespread issue impacting many families in causing avoidable harm or life-changing injuries. In 2023, 13% of all clinical negligence claims related to pregnancy and childbirth and NHS Trust…
Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Know The Signs & Symptoms
Each October, people all over the world show their support for everyone affected by breast cancer. It is a great opportunity to educate yourself and others about the importance of cancer screenings and being breast aware. Breast cancer doesn’t just affect women, everyone has breast tissue, which means that whatever your gender, you could be…
Making a Medical Negligence Claim for a Child
Where a child is harmed as a result of unacceptable medical care, this can have a devastating impact on the child and their family. The consequences can be far-reaching and lifelong. For the child, it may mean enduring further medical intervention, physical disability, or a delay in development, which can affect their education, social interactions,…
Delayed Diagnosis vs. Misdiagnosis of Cancer: Key Differences and When You Can File a Medical Negligence Claim
Macmillan estimates that there are more than 3 million people living with cancer in the UK and that figure is rising all the time. Finding out that you or a loved one has cancer can be a shock. There is no right or wrong way to feel and you may have lots of questions. Those…
Bile Duct Injury After Gallbladder Removal: What Should You Do?
Removal of the gallbladder (also known as cholecystectomy) is considered a relatively safe procedure; however, it is still a procedure which goes wrong from time to time. Occasionally the bile duct or the hepatic duct can be cut during surgery, but not identified or repaired. Where this occurs patients can suffer serious complications. What happens…
Informed Consent and Medical Negligence Claims
The theme of this year’s birth trauma awareness week is informed consent. You can find more information about informed consent in our blog article: Birth Trauma Awareness Week – What Is Informed Consent? As medical negligence solicitors, we advocate for mothers and children in cases where they were not adequately informed about the risks associated…
Birth Trauma Awareness Week – What Is Informed Consent?
Birth Trauma Awareness Week is an annual event run by the Birth Trauma Association (BTA), which aims to raise awareness about birth trauma and provide support for those affected. This year, it runs from 15-21 July 2024. The theme this year is Informed Consent. Here’s what you need to know: Informed Consent Informed consent is…
Conservative MP’s Sepsis Battle Highlights Importance of Early Detection
Conservative MP Craig Mackinlay has spoken of his life-threatening sepsis ordeal that left him having his hands and feet amputated. Mr Mackinlay said that he was “extremely lucky to be alive” and had had some “extreme surgery” as a result of the illness. Speaking about his return to work, he said he now wants to…
Enforcement action taken against Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has issued the Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust with a Section 31 notice, putting conditions on its registration, and demanding urgent improvement following concerns with the provision of maternity care within the Trust. The maternity service remains open but has several reporting conditions in place to ensure improvements are made…
APPG inquiry calls for overhaul of UK’s maternity and postnatal care
An All-Party Parliamentary Group’s (APPG) inquiry into traumatic childbirths has called for an overhaul of the UK’s maternity and postnatal care. The picture which emerged from the inquiry, was of a maternity system where poor care is all-too-frequently tolerated as normal, and women are treated as an inconvenience. What is the Birth Trauma Inquiry? It…
Can I Claim For A Missed Scaphoid Fracture?
What is a scaphoid fracture? The scaphoid is one of the small bones which make up the wrist. It is located on the thumb side of the wrist. It is an important bone for movement and stability of the wrist. The scaphoid can be injured by a fall onto an outstretched hand, by a blow…
Concerns Raised Over NHS Funded Care At Private Hospitals
There is a growing concern about the level of care provided to patients at private hospitals and clinics in the UK. There has been much publicity surrounding surgeons such as Ian Paterson, Habib Rahman, Arackal Manu Nair and Michael Walsh. Mr Ian Paterson, a Breast Surgeon based in Birmingham, is currently serving a 20-year sentence…
Special Measures Put In Place After Choking Death at Ashcroft House Leeds
A nursing facility has found itself under scrutiny as it faces special measures following a tragic incident involving a resident’s fatal choking, shedding light on significant safety oversights. Ashcroft House in Leeds came under fire with an inadequate rating subsequent to an inspection triggered by the mentioned fatality and another resident sustaining injuries from a…
Hypoglycaemia – What do I need to know?
My child has developed a brain injury due to hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar levels) – What do I need to know? Unfortunately, on rare occasions, the signs of hypoglycaemia in newborns are not identified quickly enough or acted upon with treatment. Without enough glucose (a type of sugar) in the blood, the brain is deprived…
Ovarian Torsion – A Medical Emergency
When the ovary twists around its supporting tissues, it is called ovarian torsion or adnexal torsion. This is a rare but serious medical condition that requires immediate attention. Unfortunately, ovarian torsion is often mistaken for other problems, such as urinary tract infection, kidney stones, appendicitis or gastroenteritis. This can lead to delays in diagnosis and…
2023 with S.N.O.O.P., Special Needs Objective Outreach Project
Throughout 2023, Abi Hewison and Tom Nippress from our Clinical Negligence team have worked with S.N.O.O.P. to build a relationship and gain a better understanding as to how Ison Harrison can support them and their members. Who are S.N.O.O.P.? S.N.O.O.P. are a registered charity based in Bradford. They provide services ranging from before and after…
2023 Supporting The Snappy Trust
Ison Harrison were proud to support The Snappy Trust throughout 2023. The Snappy Trust are a small York based charity who are dedicated to maximising the personal development of children and young people with a wide range of disabilities. They provide a safe space and community that supports their members by offering a wide range…
Ison Harrison’s Clinical Negligence Division Strengthens Expert Team
Press Release – November 2023 The clinical negligence division of Leeds headquartered law firm Ison Harrison has added Lucy Wells and Will Clark to its 14-strong team. Bringing 13 years of experience to the firm, Lucy Wells has joined as a Partner having previously acted for a wide range of clients who have suffered a…
Erb’s Palsy Awareness Week – A Parents Perspective
In support of Erb’s Palsy Awareness Week 2023, Ison Harrison interviewed a mum of two to better understand how their lives have been impacted by the birth injury sustained when her youngest son was born. By sharing her story, she hopes to raise awareness of the condition and reassure other parents they are not alone….
No Limits: How Erb’s Palsy Inspired Some Famous People
Erb’s Palsy is a weakness or paralysis of the arm, caused by an injury or stress to the group of nerves in the shoulder (‘brachial plexus’). It is an injury that can happen during childbirth, and may lead to a permanent disability. Some children may fully recover with intense treatment, while some are impaired by…
Celebrating 30 years of the Erb’s Palsy Group
Ison Harrison interviewed Debbie Robinson, Deputy Chair of the Erb’s Palsy Group (EPG) for Erb’s Palsy Awareness Week which runs from 16th October 2023. This year marks the Erb’s Palsy Group’s 30th anniversary. The Group has come a long way since it was first established in 1991. The EPG is now a registered charity with…
Baby Loss Awareness Week 2024 – An Introduction
Ison Harrison wish to share their support for family, friends, colleagues, and clients as they use this week to remember their much loved and missed babies and break the silence around baby loss. Baby Loss Awareness week is now in it’s 22nd year. It is an annual event held from 9th to 15th October to…
Report Published Following Review of Salford Royal Spinal Surgeon, John Bradley Williamson
Consultant Spinal Surgeon, Mr John Bradley Williamson was employed at Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust (now part of the Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust) between 1991 and January 2015, when he was dismissed. During his time at the Trust, he was the Head of Division for Neurosciences & Renal Medicine. It is also understood…
Tom Nippress Completes His Coast to Coast Challenge
As Tom Nippress left the office on Friday 16th June the enormity of what he was setting out to do began to sink in. The Coast to Coast is 192 miles long, and Tom’s itinerary was ambitious, averaging about 15 miles a day with no rest days. Over the 13 days he walked through fields,…
Volunteering with SNOOP, Special Needs Objective Outreach Project
The sun was shining on Monday 12th June when 4 members of our Clinical Negligence team spent the day volunteering at S.N.O.O.P to help them update and improve their outdoor children’s play area. S.N.O.O.P. are a registered charity based in Bradford, who provide services ranging from before and after school care, play schemes, young adults…
Prostate Cancer Awareness – What You Need To Know
This month is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. For men, prostate cancer is the most common form in the UK. More than 52,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year on average – that’s 143 men every day. Every 45 minutes one man dies from prostate cancer – that’s more than 12,000 men every year….
Supporting Children’s Mental Health Week 2023
Ison Harrison Solicitors are spreading the word about Children’s Mental Health Week which runs from 6 – 12 February 2023. What is Children’s Mental Health Week? Children’s Mental Health Week was first launched in 2015 by Place2Be to shine a light on the importance of children and young people’s mental health. 1 in 6 children…
Time Limits for Making Medical Negligence Claims
There are important time limits in medical negligence cases which are set out in the Limitation Act 1980. The time limit to make a claim is known as a limitation period. The general rule is that court proceedings must be issued within three years from the date the negligence occurred or the date upon which…
Stem4 Promote Positive Parent Mental Health
For the second year running, stem4 are promoting positive parent mental health through their Parent Mental Health Day on 27 January 2023. Who are stem4? stem4 are a charity who encourage positive mental health in teenagers and those who support them including their family, carers, education professionals as well as school nurses and GPs. They…
What Is Cervical Cancer And How Is It Diagnosed?
Supporting Cervical Cancer Awareness Week – January 23rd-29th Cervical cancer is when abnormal cells in the lining of the cervix grow in an uncontrolled way and eventually form a tumour. Nearly all cervical cancers are caused by an infection from certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV). If you are found to have abnormal cells in…
Ison Harrison Donates to Santa’s Grotto at The Snappy Trust
For the second year running, Ison Harrison were thrilled to be able to support The Snappy Trust by providing gifts, donated by both the firm, and individuals of the firm, to their Santa’s Grotto. We were inundated with donations which included nail varnish sets, make up, soft toys, dolls, paint your own kits and more….
What Is Robotically Assisted Surgery And How Does It Go Wrong?
Robotically assisted surgery is a relatively new technique which is on the rise, with 25% of hospital Trusts now offering robotically assisted surgery in varying different fields of medicine. Broadly there are two types of surgical robot used; telemanipulators for soft tissue surgery and assistive guides for hard tissue (bone) surgery. Robotics are being used…
Ison Harrison Barnsley Raising Awareness As Breast Cancer Misdiagnosis Investigation Continues
Ison Harrison’s Barnsley-based clinical negligence team are appealing for women and families to get in touch if they have been misdiagnosed with an inaccurate breast screening at Barnsley Hospital, as an investigation continues into nine women who have had to return for new consultations. This comes at the end of the annual Breast Cancer Awareness…
Q&A With Amy Swift, Erb’s Palsy Group Trustee
As part of Erb’s Palsy Awareness Week, today we are interviewing Amy Swift, a trustee of the Erb’s Palsy Group. Q: Hi Amy, please tell us about your background and how you got involved with the EPG, what does the charity mean to you? I am a children’s mental health nurse and a Lecturer at…
Erb’s Palsy Case Study: Daughter Sustained An Erb’s Palsy Injury And Left With Permanent Disability Which Could Have Been Avoided At Birth
Annette’s delivery date drew closer but, the excitement of meeting her daughter became overshadowed by fear. Annette had previously given birth to two large babies. Her eldest child had been born with mild shoulder dystocia, where one (or both) of a baby’s shoulders gets stuck inside the mother’s pelvis during labour and birth. She had…
Looking Back At The Erb’s Palsy Family Fun Day 2022
Ison Harrison were proud to attend and sponsor activities at the Erb’s Palsy Group’s (EPG) annual Family Fun Day, which was held at Pavilions of Harrogate this year. It was lovely to see so many families coming together following the pandemic. As always the EPG had arranged a wide variety of activities to suit all…
Shining A Light On Body Positivity & Therapies To Help Erb’s Palsy [Infographic]
As part of Erb’s Palsy Awareness Week , we have created this infographic to help promote body positivity and advise on the best therapies to help Erb’s Palsy.
Living With Erb’s Palsy – How Physical Exercise Helps My Self-Confidence
This article has been written by Flossie England, an Erb’s Palsy Group member who is eighteen years old. I have a grade 3 Erb’s Palsy injury which means that I have limited range of movement so I can’t reach above my head or move my arm out in front of me. My elbow doesn’t fully…
Erb’s Palsy Awareness Week 2022
Ison Harrison have a long-standing relationship with the Erb’s Palsy Group (EPG) and are proud to support the Erb’s Palsy Awareness Week which runs from 17th to 23rd October. What is Erb’s Palsy? Erb’s Palsy is also known as brachial plexus paralysis, and it is a traumatic birth injury that can leave a baby’s arm…
Baby Loss Awareness Week – A Parents Perspective
Finding Support After losing a baby the reality is that nothing helps, not really, only time. Even then, time only allows you to get used to living alongside your grief, it doesn’t make it go away. It’s not just the grief that doesn’t go away, it’s the trauma of pregnancy itself. You know what happened…
Supporting Children With The Loss Of A Sibling
Explaining the death of a sibling to children can be very difficult for parents who are also dealing with their own grief. Parents may feel the need to protect them, especially when the child may struggle to understand the concept of death or when you don’t have a reason for why it happened. It is…
Baby Loss Awareness Week 2022 – Making a Claim Following a Stillbirth or Neonatal Death
The loss of a baby can be one of the most traumatic experiences a person, couple or family has to deal with. Whether a baby is lost during pregnancy, or in the early weeks of life, the impact on you and your family can be devastating. Nothing can prepare you for the loss of a…
Baby Loss Awareness Week 2022 – An Introduction
This year marks the 20th Year of Baby Loss Awareness Week in the UK. Ison Harrison wish to share their support for family, friends, colleagues and clients as they use this week to remember their much loved and missed babies and break the silence around baby loss. Baby Loss Awareness Day in the UK was…
Ison Harrison & The Erb’s Palsy Group Campaign 2022: #ThisIsMe
Nominations are now closed. This year we are teaming up with the Erb’s Palsy Group to launch a new campaign as part of Erb’s Palsy Awareness Week. #ThisIsMe is aimed at promoting body positivity and self-empowerment for individuals with Erb’s Palsy. It is designed to encourage positive mental attitudes and showcase an unbreakable spirit in…
World Sepsis Day 2022: Understanding Sepsis
Sepsis is one of the most common medical conditions in the world, but it is also one of the most preventable and, crucially, one of the most misdiagnosed. With the annual World Sepsis Day on 13th September, we believe it is important to raise awareness and highlight the need for early detection and treatment. This…
Coffee Morning for Patients and Families Affected by Inaccurate Breast Cancer Screenings at Barnsley Hospital
A few months ago we were made aware that nine women had been recalled for further consultation after attending a breast screening at Barnsley Hospital. Since then, we have been helping and supporting women who have been affected by the recall. We are going to be holding an informal meet and greet over coffee and…
Understanding C-Sections: What To Expect
This month is the return of the annual Caesarean Awareness Month – a dedicated engagement program to educate and raise awareness on the childbirth issue which continues to be embroiled in discussion, complexity and controversy. It is believed that one in four women who give birth in the UK have a C-section. However, most of…
Clinical Negligence Solicitor Iain Oliver Celebrates 30 Years In Law
Ison Harrison Solicitor and Partner, Iain Oliver, is celebrating a milestone this year, as it marks 30 years since he became a lawyer. In addition, this month is Iain’s 15th successive year of working at Ison Harrison. Iain is also branch manager of our Ilkley office, which has been a recognised presence on The Grove…
Do You Need Advice Regarding A Prescription Or Dispensing Error?
Dispensing includes the preparation and giving of medication (requested by way of a prescription) to patients, taking steps to ensure that the medication being provided is suitable for the intended use, and taking steps to ensure its proper use. Dispensing requires the professional and clinical review of a Responsible Pharmacist who is appointed as the…
Ovarian And Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
March 2022 is Ovarian and Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, and at Ison Harrison we are raising awareness of the importance of early diagnosis of ovarian and prostate cancer, and helping you to spot the signs and symptoms. In the UK 7,400 women are diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer each year, but Prostate Cancer is even more…