Medical Negligence Lawyer's Concern As George Eliot Hospital Trust Review Finds Glaucoma Patients Suffer Harm And Sight Loss
As a solicitor based in Birmingham and originally from Coventry, revelations about patient harm at George Eliot Hospital Trust strike particularly close to home.
The news that multiple NHS patients suffered harm, including irreversible sight loss, following suspected substandard care is deeply troubling.
As someone who has dedicated their career to supporting victims of medical negligence, I've seen first-hand the devastating impact that clinical failings can have on individuals and their families.
This case, involving a locum consultant who allegedly failed to follow national treatment guidelines for glaucoma, raises serious questions about clinical governance, patient safety, and accountability.
NICE guidelines not followed and life-altering consequences
An external review was launched after the Hospital Trust found that patients were being discharged without National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines having been followed.
The review of 278 patient records, revealed 104 deviations from clinical guidance, suggesting systemic oversight failures rather than isolated incidents.
Glaucoma is generally a manageable condition when diagnosed and treated promptly. The findings that eight patients suffered “significant harm,” including permanent blindness, following deviations from NICE guidelines at the Trust is tragic.
Legal Implications and Patient Rights
From a legal standpoint, the patients considered in the review may have grounds to pursue claims for medical negligence. To succeed in such claims, it must be shown that:
- A duty of care was owed (which is likely to be clear in this case),
- That duty was breached (i.e. that there were actions/omissions which would not be defensible by any reasonable ophthalmologist), and
- The breach caused harm (for example, irreversible vision loss).
The Trust’s own finding of “significant harm” and the commissioning of an external review raise real concerns that the standard of care fell below what's reasonably expected for these patients.
The Role of Oversight
This case also highlights the potential risks associated with the use of locum consultants without robust oversight. While locums are essential to NHS staffing, they must be subject to the same scrutiny and performance monitoring as permanent staff.
That concerns were raised as early as 2023, yet the consultant continued to practice, suggests a breakdown in internal reporting and response mechanisms.
Moving Forward: Accountability and Reform
The Trust has stated that new processes and oversight measures have been introduced. While this is a welcome and necessary step, it does little to undo the damage already done.
Affected patients deserve not only apologies but also full transparency, support, and where appropriate, compensation for the potential life-altering consequences they now face.
Support available to affected glaucoma patients
At Irwin Mitchell, we're committed to helping victims of medical negligence secure justice and rebuild their lives. We urge any individuals affected by this review to seek legal advice promptly, as time limits apply to bringing claims.
In addition to pursuing legal remedies, we actively collaborate with sight loss charities to ensure that clients receive holistic support - ranging from rehabilitation services to emotional and practical assistance - helping them adapt to life after vision loss with dignity and independence.
Find out more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in supporting patients affected by issues in ophthalmology care at our dedicated eye related claims section.
