Cut by Nurse

[d33]

Quote

 

Hi, recently had stitches removed in my local hospital, all went well until the nurse went to cut tape used to seal the wound and she missed the tape and cut a small chunk in my arm. 

I was in a bit of shock at the time, she took a picture said sorry and said she was surprised the scissors were so sharp as they are supposed to be blunt. 

Who should I complain to and would I be likely to receive any compensation. Thanks

[BankFodder]

You can probably complain to their line manager and you might be able to get a little bit of compensation but also you may well cause a disciplinary action and the loss of a job to somebody who is doing their best in a system which is under resourced and under pressure and who is probably under stress and underpaid and is probably now rather stressed and frightened about what might happen because of an unfortunate accident.

Do you know if they were somebody who is married and who has children or who has difficulty making ends meet?
 

[Ethel Street]

You can complain to the NHS Trust that runs the hospital, either directly or contact their PALS service  (Patient Advice and Liaison Service). Details will be on the hospital website.

Compensation? Doubt it but you could ask if your injuries are serious enough to justify a personal injuries claim. If you are going to pursue this for money you need to get an independent medical reprot now to confirm the injuries you have suffered (which will need to be a medical report at your own expense).

[BazzaS]

What do you want to achieve?

have you had an apology?

What do you think will make her less likely to repeat her mistake?

[lolerz]

I think the idea of compensation is a bit much.

It's not like the NHS goes handing out money for that like nothing. You'd have to submit a personal injury claim through the courts against the trust.

Even then, for the very little you'll receive for a small knick on the arm (if anything), you must question whether the time spent is worth the trouble.

As @BankFodder said, think about the other person here. Is it worth having an overstressed and underpaid nurse go through disciplinary and potentially being laid off due to a small knick on the arm?

[Mycathasfleas]

As a friend, who is was a medical negligence lawyer, explained to me. Despite all the compo ads for motor vehicle claims, medical related injuries rarely result in much if any compensation unless they are serious. There is also an assumption that during procedures minor injuries may occur and that the patient has explicitly or tacitly accepted that risk. For example, during colonoscopy it is possible (though rare to tear the colon wall. My friend also said she wished people would just accept minor mishaps. 

 

On a personal note, I think I probably would not bother escalating this because the nurse clearly regretted it and gathered evidence against herself by photographing it. 

 

Finally. During an examination a nurse tipped my bag over breaking my tablet. Did I care? No. I was glad of the free service from the NHS and a few days later I dropped off some staff room essentials for the team that treated me well. 

Edited March 20 by Mycathasfleas
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[d33]

Thanks for the feedback. Think I will leave it, wouldn't want to cause any problems for her.