A surgeon mistakenly removed a healthy section of a cancer patient’s bowel instead of the intended cancerous tissue due to confusion between a tattoo and a medical marking at Ysbyty Gwynedd hospital in Bangor, north Wales. The error was part of five “wrong site” procedures reported at a troubled health board. The patient required additional investigations for future surgery following the incident.
The mishap was classified as a “never event,” a preventable occurrence that should not have happened had safety protocols been followed. A total of 139 never events were documented between April and July last year by the NHS, including another incident where a cancer patient underwent a procedure on the wrong area at Wrexham’s Maelor Hospital.
An internal health board report revealed the incidents, which will be reviewed by health authorities soon. Patients affected by never events can seek compensation if they can prove negligence and harm caused by healthcare providers failing to meet standards. Claims must be filed within three years of the negligence or awareness of harm, covering damages for pain, loss of amenity, earnings, and related expenses.
