|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Patients were at risk of misdiagnosis and possible clinical negligence because of the attitude of some NHS laboratory staff in Bristol, a special report has found.
An inquiry into the histopathology department at University Hospital Bristol Foundation Trust (UHBT) found that it provided a safe service but concerns, which were first noted in 2004, were not investigated until 2009 when the activities at the department were publicised in Private Eye magazine.
The death of a breast cancer patient had been linked to the misdiagnosis of a breast cancer lump which was not benign as first thought. If her death was linked to clinical negligence by health staff her family may have grounds to seek compensation for their personal injury.
Out of 3,500 random tissue samples which were checked, 26 were found to have been subject to a diagnosis error, three of which were described as serious.
The inquiry report attributed this to a "strained relationship" between UHBT and North Bristol NHS Trust.
The report's recommendations for reducing the possibility of patients suffering personal injury, misdiagnosis and clinical negligence, included setting up a joint histopathology service in Bristol. The trusts are said to have since improved their relationship.
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
