JMW Clinical Negligence Client Brian Dowsett Featured on BBC Inside Out

The Manchester-based full-service law firm JMW Solicitors is currently investigating a clinical negligence claim on behalf of Mr Brian Dowsett, who was recently featured on the BBC programme Inside Out. Brian’s story has also received both local and national press attention.

In 2007 Mr Dowsett, 74, was seen by an out-of-hours doctor, Dr Hans Raj Yadav. Mr Dowsett complained of pain and numbness in his right leg, which was also grey and cold to the touch, yet Dr Yadav failed to diagnose a blood clot or refer him to hospital.

Days later Mr Dowsett was diagnosed with an arterial obstruction and underwent surgery, although it was too late to save his leg which was amputated shortly afterwards.

It later emerged that Dr Yadav had, in fact, been previously suspended by a different out-of-hours provider over concerns about his clinical competence.

JMW is therefore pursuing a clinical negligence claim against Dr Yadav and a second defendant, both of whom worked for the privately owned company Croydoc, now known as Patient Care 24.

This incident highlights a wider public interest issue regarding the level of care patients receive from out-of-hours GPs.

Speaking about the case, Sally Leonards, Partner at JMW, commented:

“This case highlights the inadequacy of the system of governance of out-of-hours GP care which has serious implications for patient safety.

"It is of particular concern that Dr Yadav was able to continue in practice for so long when it is clear that his performance was seriously deficient in many areas of medicine, which was the view formed by the GMC.

"My client’s life has been seriously blighted as a result of the loss of his leg. I hope for his sake that the legal proceedings are concluded quickly and successfully.”

Dr Yadav has admitted that he was negligent in failing to refer Mr Dowsett to hospital urgently. He has since been struck off by the General Medical Council (GMC). The second defendant has made an initial denial of liability. The clinical negligence claim is ongoing.

JMW Solicitors LLP is one of Manchester’s leading law firms and offers a broad range of legal services to both commercial and private clients, including clinical negligence compensation claims. For more information visit: http://www.jmw.co.uk/

Contact Information

Eddie Jones

Partner

JMW Solicitors LLP

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