NHS Gynaecology waiting lists rise due to coronavirus
Contact
Stephanie Prior
Table of Contents
It has been reported today in the press that as a consequence of the coronavirus pandemic, gynaecology waiting lists in England have risen by 60%, with over half a million women now waiting for an appointment. Whilst waiting lists have risen throughout the NHS because of these unprecedented circumstances, this situation is particularly concerning given the impact on women’s health.
Many of the more serious gynaecological conditions are progressive in nature meaning that timely diagnosis and treatment is essential. Delayed diagnoses ultimately lead to more costs for the NHS, not only because of increased litigation but importantly because of the resultant need for more invasive and complex surgery. This also has an impact on waiting lists for treatment and increases costs for NHS Trusts who may possibly have to seek funding for extensive treatments rather than routine treatments had an earlier referral been made.
In some cases, delays will mean that women will be unable to start fertility treatment, as they have conditions which need to be treated before this can begin. As there is an age limit for IVF treatment on the NHS, any delay has the potential to cause someone to become ineligible for treatment. This will have an impact on whether some women are able to start a family.
Some progress is being made in clearing the backlog which has built up across the NHS since March 2020. However, it is important that attention is paid to gynaecological waiting lists and that women’s voices are listened to. Conditions such as endometriosis can have a devastating impact on women’s lives, affecting both their physical and mental health, especially if they are unable to access treatment which they need. It will also have an impact on employment as many women may feel too unwell to work without ongoing treatment.
At Osbornes we have acted for clients who have suffered both physical and mental harm as a result of delayed gynaecological referrals and treatment. We have seen the impact that this can have on people’s lives, including meaning that they are unable to work or socialise. We can advise on the level of damages that can be claimed to compensate someone for a delayed diagnosis, if it can be shown that this delay was unavoidable.
To speak to a medical negligence specialist about a gynaecological treatment delay call Stephanie Prior, or complete an online enquiry form.
Share this article
"She has represented victims in a number of high-profile cases."
"Stephanie Prior is very empathetic and practical, she gets to the heart of a case quickly."
"Stephanie Prior is highly respected in the marketplace, with a great wealth of experience, superb judgment and medical knowledge that is second to none."
"Stephanie has always shown great judgment and common sense whilst building valuable relationships with her opponents."
"Stephanie Prior is a standout solicitor."
"Stephanie Prior is an experienced lawyer with immense knowledge of her specialism, which allows her to run her cases with strategic precision."
"Stephanie knows her way effortlessly around any clinical negligence issue and has a great strategic mind."
"She works tirelessly for her clients and is incredibly focused on their needs. Attention to detail is key and she is meticulous."
"She's a very committed lawyer and always has the best interest of the client at heart."
"Stephanie Prior is excellent to deal with. She keeps everything up to date and works extremely hard for the clients and their families."
Stephanie Prior is very experienced, with an encyclopaedic medical knowledge. Fights tooth and nail for her clients.
Stephanie Prior is a first-rate clinical negligence specialist whose industry, great experience and medical background put her in an exceptional class.
Stephanie Prior is a superb senior practitioner with an accurate eye for the nub of a case and an acute sense of the merit of any claim.
A very experienced team headed up by the wonderful Stephanie Prior, who has a fantastic reputation in the marketplace.
"I know [we have] expressed our appreciation, but I also wanted to thank you for all your hard work, time and patience in pursuing mum’s claim through to a successful outcome - your kind and professional approach was genuinely appreciated."
“May I take this opportunity to thank you for your patience and true compassion in yet another very tough year of representation on the behalf of my wife. I certainly must say you did it all with amazing stamina and positivity which regenerated my self-esteem…. You honestly eased the pain and I can see a healing process ahead.”
Stephanie has developed a particularly strong reputation for her handling of birth injury claims, as well as cases concerning surgical negligence and delays in surgery.
"Stephanie Prior takes on complex cases and gets excellent results. She has a background in medicine which serves her clients well and is a realistic but tough litigator."
"Stephanie Prior is hugely dedicated, adored by her clients, tenacious, efficient and extremely knowledgeable."
"Stephanie Prior is very good with troubled clients and is easily able to make them feel at ease."
"Stephanie shows sensitivity and deals with things in an understanding way."
The lawyers in the team are highly experienced and will drive cases very hard on behalf of their clients.
"Stephanie Prior has a realistic attitude to the complexities of the cases. She wins the trust of her clients and goes the extra mile to ensure they get the best outcomes."
Stephanie’s background in medicine gives her an ability to read between the lines where medical records and expert evidence are concerned and is a great asset.
"Her knowledge base is second to none and her understanding of the litigation process stands out, as does her ability to work collaboratively."
"Stephanie Prior... manages a varied caseload, including obstetric claims, child and adult brain injury cases and fatal and non-fatal spinal cord injury cases."
"Stephanie is experienced, knowledgeable of all aspects of clinical negligence work, and strategic in running cases."
"Key team members include the approachable, compassionate and efficient Stephanie Prior."
Stephanie Prior is always very professional and kind. Highly recommended.
Stephanie Prior is ‘very warm’ and ‘caring’, and an ‘exceptional professional’.
Stephanie Prior continues to receive widespread praise from clients, who state that she explains the legal aspects of the case very clearly, and she is also a caring person who handles cases on a personal level.
Insights from Stephanie PriorVIEW ALL
5.6.2023Are pharmacy closures putting patients at risk?
It has been reported in the press that chemist closures will have an impact on patients living in deprived or...
Read more
23.3.2023Private Pregnancy Scans and Substandard Care
In the news, it has been reported that private clinics that offer pregnancy scans to women are not meeting the...
Read more
9.2.2023Perineal Tear case settles for 6-figure sum
Stephanie Prior recently settled a birth injury claim relating to a woman who delivered her baby after a traumatic labour....
Read more
14.12.2022Successful settlement for negligent care during kidney transplant...
Claimant v Royal Free London NHS Trust Osbornes have reached a settlement agreement on behalf of a Claimant who brought...
Read more
21.9.2022Are maternity services safe? – Part 2
In April last year I wrote a piece about government setting up a taskforce to look into why there are...
Read more
9.8.2022New interactive rating tool reveals NHS wait times...
Amidst record-breaking heatwaves and a lengthy patient waiting list due to COVID backlogs, it is not surprising that this summer...
Read more
1.8.2022Successful settlement for birth injury that led to...
Stephanie Prior’s case relating to the death of Gabriela Pintilie has settled and has been approved by the High...
Read more
29.6.2022Nottingham Maternity: Donna Ockenden to Chair Independent Inquiry
An interim report on the state of maternity services at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust has just been released. However,...
Read more
28.4.2022Calls for Public Inquiry into Vaginal Mesh Surgery
A leading professor from the University of Oxford has called for a public inquiry into the use of vaginal mesh...
Read more
6.4.2022Stephanie Prior Comments on the Ockenden ‘Maternity Scandal’...
Following the publication of the Ockenden Report, an independent review of maternity services at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust,...
Read more
5.4.2022NHS Gynaecology waiting lists rise due to coronavirus
It has been reported today in the press that as a consequence of the coronavirus pandemic, gynaecology waiting lists in...
Read more
23.3.2022Nerve injury following bowel surgery
Stephanie Prior was instructed in a claim against Luton & Dunstable University Hospital where our client sustained an injury to...
Read more
23.2.2022Record high waiting lists put cancer patient lives...
In early January 2022 there were nearly six million people in England waiting for routine operations and treatment: a record high....
Read more
23.2.2022Women from ethnic minorities experience worse maternity care
It has been reported today that the government has set up a new task force to look into why there...
Read more
14.2.2022Recent birth injury cases
Osbornes Law specialises in helping families who have suffered a birth injury. We have represented families who have suffered the...
Read more
31.1.2022Recent fatal medical negligence cases
Osbornes Law specialises in helping families who have suffered a fatality due to inadequate medical care. Our specialist team is...
Read more
31.1.2022Recent Brain Injury Client Stories
Osbornes Law specialises in helping families who have suffered a brain injury as a result of medical negligence. Our specialist...
Read more
4.1.2022Five-figure Compensation for Cardiac Negligence
In this cardiac negligence claim, we were instructed by a 42-year-old Polish man who had attended the Accident and Emergency...
Read more
4.1.20226 Figure Settlement For Heart Attack Claim
In this cardiac claim, we were instructed by the widow of a 55-year-old man, who had complained of chest pain...
Read more
1.12.2021Maternity claim for fatality following caesarean section
Stephanie Prior is acting for a gentleman whose wife died after she had a caesarean section. The claim is on...
Read more
23.11.2021Longer wait for ambulances endangering lives
According to recent NHS figures, in October this year patients in England who were presenting with potential heart attacks or...
Read more
18.11.2021How do I obtain my GP medical records...
If you want to obtain copies of your medical records from your GP or the hospital where you have been...
Read more
17.11.2021NICE revises guidelines on Induced labour
Most babies are born naturally at around 40 weeks gestation. However, some pregnancies continue for longer. According to data from the...
Read more
28.9.2021Ambulance Delays Affecting Rapid Patient Treatment
In 2017, the Secretary of State for Health accepted the new ambulance performance standards recommended by NHS England, meaning that the 11...
Read more