Spire Healthcare Ltd admit that the care provided by Mr Michael Walsh from 2017 was negligent and all surgeries and treatments other than physiotherapy were not required.
Prior to her treatment, Colleen was a business owner running a cleaning business. She enjoyed good general health and was a happy, confident and independent woman.
From 2012, Colleen started to experience what felt like her right shoulder dislocating intermittently. She saw her GP in 2016 and following an ultrasound scan and general physiotherapy, she was referred to Mr Michael Walsh at the Spire Hospital in Leeds, in early 2017.
Having undergone an MRI scan in April 2017 Colleen was scheduled for surgery in June 2017. Following surgery, Colleen experienced a frozen right shoulder and underwent a second surgery in November 2017. During follow-up appointments in December 2017, January, February and March 2018 Colleen remained in pain with a restricted range of movement and further ultrasound and MRI scans were organised.
Colleen believes that “until you are in this position you have absolutely no idea just how hard life is being unable to use your dominant arm and having constant pain.” She was unable to care for herself, her family and it had a huge impact on her mental health.
In May 2018, a new Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon took over her care. Having reviewed the MRI scan from April 2017, the surgeon was unable to identify why Colleen had undergone surgery. She was shocked by this information and she still finds it difficult to come to terms with the fact that she was operated on unnecessarily. Colleen made a complaint to Spire Hospital regarding the treatment she received from Mr Walsh, which was upheld.
Unfortunately, in order to address Colleen’s now very limited range of movement in the shoulder and accompanying pain she had to undergo a third surgery in September 2018.
During 2019 Colleen had 3 steroid injections, which in themselves were extremely painful and distressing. They gave some relief for a month or two, but then the problems returned. She has also undergone sessions with a Specialist Shoulder Physiotherapist, but had no improvement.
Colleen remains under the care of her Orthopaedic Surgeon and a fourth surgery is being considered, in an attempt to rectify her ongoing problems.
Colleen contacted Ison Harrison for legal advice. Having investigated the care provided with the benefit of independent expert evidence, a Letter of Claim was sent in June 2020 to Spire Healthcare Limited, as they were responsible for the care provide by Mr Walsh in this case.
Spire Healthcare Ltd responded making admissions of negligence in respect of Colleen’s care. They conceded that specialist shoulder physiotherapy was all that was required and all of the treatment and pain that she has endured since 2017 should and would have been avoided.
Ami Law, Solicitor has conduct of the case and she continues to investigate the nature and extent of Colleen’s losses. Colleen had this to say about the process so far:
“Ami has gone above and beyond her duty as my solicitor and not only advised me, but emotionally helped me at this difficult time in my life due to Mr Walsh’s actions. Ami is my constant rock and she goes beyond her duties to support me through this difficult time in my life.”
When asked about the impact on Colleen, Ami made the following comment.
“The consequences of the surgeries which Colleen has undergone have been devastating. It affects her every day and has invaded every facet of her life. She still faces an uncertain future as to whether her symptoms will ever resolve. However, we are working towards a resolution of her case so as to ensure she gets the damages to both recompense her for what she has been through and enable her future to be secure. We look forward to being able to facilitate her getting closure on what has been a very difficult chapter of her life. We hope that Spire Healthcare and those involved in her care learn from their mistakes to ensure that this does not happen to any other patients.”
If you have had a similar experience to Colleen or think you have sustained injury as a result of medical negligence, please contact a member of the Clinical Negligence Team on 0113 284 5000 or alternatively email clinneg@isonharrison.co.uk and we will be happy to discuss this with you in confidence and provide you with advice.
Related Links:
Michael Walsh – Shoulder Surgery Negligence at Spire Leeds or Nuffield Hospital