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Incorrect diagnosis could have led to the death of my wife

Posted By Plymouth347

"Incorrect diagnosis could have led to the death of my wife"

About: Derriford Hospital / Accident and emergency South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust / Emergency ambulance South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust / NHS 111

(as a relative),

My wife recently had to call 111 due to severe pain in the neck/shoulder area with swelling along with pain radiating across the chest and up her head,

111 called an ambulance to attend, when it arrived the paramedic asked her symptoms and asked abruptly why we would call an ambulance just for this. When they were told that we hadn't and 111 did, their response was that 111 call an ambulance for everything.

After taking her stats, the paramedic told her it was nothing more than a trapped nerve and they couldn't give her any stronger painkillers than she was already taking, and to go to A&E if she wanted anything stronger.

After a day and night of incredible pain, I took her to the A&E department of Derriford Hospital, Plymouth. Within 30 minutes of arriving she was triaged and admitted to Resus, within 4 hours of arriving she was taken into emergency surgery.

This trapped nerve was Mediastinitus, Sepsis had developed in the shoulder/neck area and now was shutting down everything. A tracheostomy was done and she spent 16 days in ICU, 5 of which was in an induced coma, she's now moving into a ward for recuperation which could be quite a while.

If we had taken notice of this completely wrong diagnosis from an ambulance crew and just continued taking over the counter pain relief, then I am positive that my wife would have died in pain at home and the paramedic would have been no wiser. 

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Responses

Response from Alison Stanton, Complaints and PALS Manager, University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust nearly 2 years ago
Alison Stanton
Complaints and PALS Manager,
University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Submitted on 06/07/2023 at 15:12
Published on Care Opinion at 15:15

picture of Alison Stanton

I am so very sorry to hear of the traumatic experience with your wife - that must have been terrifying for you both.

I am so pleased she was seen quickly after attending our Emergency Department and that she had surgery promptly.

From your comments, I cannot see any concerns in that regard that relate to Derriford Hospital, but if I have misunderstood, please do let me know.

This website can be used to post comments that are both positive and negative.

If you would like to email me directly, my email address is ali.stanton@nhs.net

Many thanks and I hope you wife continues to make good progress with her recovery.

Alison

Alison Stanton

Patient Services

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Update posted by Plymouth347 (a relative)

Hi Alison

thank you for your response,

No, I have no criticism at all regarding Derriford Hospital, rather the opposite, the staff there have been amazing!

I only have criticism for the ambulance crew, who were negligent in my opinion

Response from Sami Burkitt, Patient Engagement Events and Project Facilitator, Patient Engagement, South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust nearly 2 years ago
Sami Burkitt
Patient Engagement Events and Project Facilitator, Patient Engagement,
South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust

Submitted on 06/10/2023 at 14:21
Published on Care Opinion at 15:34

Good afternoon

Please accept my apologies for the delay in responding to your comments above. Firstly, I am sorry the experience you and your wife had has been negative, we thank you for taking the time to send us your feedback as it helps us to develop our service for our patients who use it.

Secondly, unfortunately, any patient details are redacted on this platform for confidentiality and so we cannot find your incident. If you would like to progress this as a complaint, please could I ask you to forward your message and details to: patientexperience@swast.nhs.uk and a member of our team will be delighted to help you.

Thank you again for taking the time to share your experience with us and we do hope your wife is recovering well after her surgery.

Kindest regards,

Sami
Patient Engagement Team
SWAST

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