In this post Angela Frost of 12KBW discusses the recent decision of Foskett J in Macaulay v Dr Abdul Karim & Croydon Health Services NHS Trust [2017] EWHC 1795 (QB), yet another case involving the delayed identification of sepsis in a busy A&E department. The recent case of Darnley v Croydon NHS Trust [2017] EWCA Civ 151 was also considered and distinguished.
Category: Duty of care
In this post Vanessa Cashman of 12KBW discusses the recent decision of HHJ Graham Wood QC (sitting as a Deputy High Court Judge) in Tracey Giles v Alexandra Chambers, a rare reported case involving cosmetic surgery.
The Claimant underwent VASER liposuction removal of fat from her thighs and buttocks at the Defendant’s private clinic.
In this post Rachit Buch of 12KBW discusses the Court of Appeal’s recent reversal of Nicol J’s decision to strike out a claim on the basis that a doctor did not owe a duty of care to disclose a patient’s hereditary disease to his child.
Overturning the decision the Court of Appeal held that it was arguable that medical practitioners could be liable for failing to inform family members of a diagnosis where there was definite, reliable and critical medical information as would be the case in clinical genetics.
In this blog Vanessa Cashman of 12KBW considers Darnley v Croydon Health Services NHS Trust where the Court of Appeal considered what, if any duty, is owed by a receptionist of an A&E department to a patient in respect of the provision of information. By a majority it was held that no duty is owed to provide correct information about waiting times.
The facts
On 17 May 2010 the claimant was the victim of an assault, in the course of which he received a violent blow to the head. He was taken to A&E by a friend and they arrived at 8.26pm. On speaking to the receptionist on his arrival, she told him that he might not be seen for up to 4 or 5 hours. The claimant was in significant pain and after 19 minutes of waiting, he decided to go home and take paracetamol. He left at 8.45pm, without notifying the receptionist. Continue reading “Darnley v Croydon Health Services NHS Trust [2017] EWCA Civ 151; Court of Appeal divided over whether an A&E receptionist owes a duty of care”
