Early admission of liability for diabetic patient needing below-knee amputation following GP error
Helen Thompson secured an admission of liability for a diabetic man following a failure by his GP to refer him to a Diabetic Foot Clinic for a foot wound.
Mr W had well controlled diabetes, had good blood flow to his feet and had not had any previous diabetic foot problems. During an appointment with a podiatrist, Mr W was made aware that he had a very small wound beneath his little toe.
At an appointment with his GP, however, the GP did not note that Mr W was diabetic (and therefore at risk of foot infections and poor healing), he did not examine the foot and did not provide any treatment. National Guidance for Management of Diabetic Foot Problems mandates urgent assessment by a Diabetic Foot Clinic, but no such referral was made. Instead, the GP reassured Mr W that the foot was not infected and sent him home without treatment.
Over the next two weeks the foot wound increased in size and Mr W had symptoms of infection including feeling unwell, swelling and redness and the foot became hot with pus coming from the wound. Mr W became concerned and attended hospital.
Foot sepsis with gas gangrene was diagnosed and Mr W was started on IV antibiotics. He was then transferred to the Vascular Unit at Shrewsbury Hospital for further management. Mr W underwent an operation to amputate his 4th and 5th toes and to remove infected tissue from his foot.
This did not clear the infection and the following day an operation was performed to amputate Mr W's foot at ankle level. Unfortunately, the infection in the lower leg remained and a few days later Mr W underwent a below knee amputation.
A Letter of Claim was sent to Teldoc, a company which manages the GP Surgery who made a full admission of liability. Teldoc admitted failings by the GP during the consultation with Mr W and that on that day he should have been prescribed antibiotics and had further input to manage the foot wound. It was also admitted that if this care had been provided, the below knee amputation would have been avoided.
As a result of the injury, Mr W has been unable to return to work and his mobility and function are severely impaired.
Helen secured a significant interim payment of damages to enable Mr W to undergo intensive private rehabilitation to optimise his function and mobility using a custom prosthetic limb.
The claim will now be quantified and hopefully a swift settlement may be reached with Teldoc.
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For further information about gp negligence claims and medical negligence claims, please call Helen Thompson on 0330 460 6765 or email helen.thompson@fieldfisher.com.
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