Man sues Basildon Hospital after alleged negligence

Posted 19/04/2010

Basildon Hospital could have to pay out up to £50,000 if a clinical negligence suit against it is successful, reports the Basildon Recorder.

Brian Hughes is suing the hospital for alleged negligence, claiming the hospital breached its duty of care while he was treated there in 2007, although no exact details have been released.

Mr Hughes, of Stock Road, Billericay, is the president or chairman of several organisations in his community and has previously received an MBE for services to the community.

Over the last six months Basildon Hospital has come under fire for several incidents, including an outbreak of Legionnaire’s Disease and recent failings on the maturity ward.

Bosses have also been criticised for poor levels of hygiene.
In February this year the hospital admitted negligence after a disabled man was asphyxiated at the hospital in October 2006 when his head got stuck between bed railings while he was being treated for a stomach problem.

Rosamund Rhodes-Kemp, who heads the Clinical Negligence team at Ashtons Legal, commented: “This case is a further illustration of the uphill struggle that Basildon faces to improve standards and avoid claims for compensation.

“We hope they succeed as it is clearly in patients’ and clinicians’ interests that they do so. Each of these cases represents a human tragedy that could have been avoided with appropriate treatment and care.”