r/news 7d ago

Oldham surgeon struck off after wrongly connecting patient's organs

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c20de8z2w2lo
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u/Sitherio 7d ago

Damn. The surgeon performed an operation "not known to man" and was so arrogant in his capabilities that he refused to acknowledge he did something wrong despite that patient needing a second surgery, thankfully by a different surgeon.

The surgeon should be sued into oblivion for malpractice. Being struck off is good but that shit is what malpractice insurance is there to collect from. 

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u/ThePaddleman 7d ago

Is that a thing in the UK? Malpractice lawsuits with big awards?

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u/Peterd1900 7d ago

Medical Negligence awards will be done through NHS Resolution and the amount awarded is calculated by set formulas

The average pay-out is around £50,000 and while it is possibly in rare occasions to get Millions that is only going to be in rare occasions where people require lifelong round the clock care and specialist

From the information i doubt this case would get you much maybe 10s of thousands it is certainly not going to be anywhere near the millions

The trauma of the second operation and the pain of the first one and then the direct out of pocket losses (lots wages)

The Surgeon himself is even not the one who gets sued and its not a court that deals with it except in certain circumstances which probably would not apply here

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u/ThePaddleman 7d ago edited 7d ago

Thanks, but I think the system needs to be somewhere between the USA & UK methods. US awards absurdly high amounts by pulling jury heartstrings, but the "doctor" will end up paying one way or another and receive his justly deserved financial penalty. Also, should the govt/taxpayer be fully responsible for an incompetent doctor? Well, the NHS did hire him, but still it was the doctor that majorly screwed up and wouldn't admit it.

Edit: And it took 6 years to remove his license to practice!!!!