Our Stories Archives - Patients for Patient Safety

Melissa’s pregnancy- A potentially catastrophic misdiagnosis In 2009, Melissa was 5 or 6 weeks pregnant. Having had a history of early miscarriages, she was worried about this latest pregnancy. She had a scan at the early pregnancy unit at the hospital and was asked to come in again in 2 weeks’ time. Melissa was feeling

Mark and his family – their story: Difficult journey through mental health services, with little consideration for the family About fifteen years ago, 15-year-old Mark was brought to an A&E department with a range of psychological symptoms. After some time he was diagnosed as having schizophrenia, and that this was brought on by drug abuse.

Litany of professional and system failures; needless death of 21-year-old Kevin In 1997, 19-year-old Kevin had persistent back pain. He was referred to an orthopaedic consultant and blood tests revealed high levels of calcium (3.51m.mol/l). This level of calcium causes serious damage to health and is most commonly an indication of primary hyperparathyroidism or a

Eve and her Mum (Paula) – their story: Doctor who wouldn’t listen or accept that a 12-year-old girl really was seriously ill 12-year-old Eve had recurring ear infections; became very unwell During 2010, twelve-year-old Eve had recurring episodes of ear infection. A few days before Christmas that year, her mother, Paula, brought her to Accident

Medical Misadventure compounded by System Failures Post-op complications, but doctors and nurses are not listening to me. Year’s before admission of liability. Background: In 2005, Caroline (a 39 year-old-nurse) was diagnosed with an ovarian cyst – 8cm in maximum diameter. Caroline was otherwise in relatively good health. She did have a long-standing history of endometriosis,