Successful Claim for Damages Due to Complications and Delays in Removing Ureteric Stent

Emma Hart, associate solicitor was instructed by Mr Z to bring an action for damages arising out of complications due to delays removing a ureteric stent at The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust between August 2022 and May 2023.

In summary, Mr Z attended A&E at Princess Royal Hospital with persistent, extreme lower left abdominal pain. A scan showed a 6mm kidney stone in the ureter and he was advised to attend the Trust’s alternative site, The Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, due to a lack of urology services at Princess Royal Hospital.

Mr Z underwent a rigid cystoscopy and left stent procedure. Post operatively, he was required to have an elective urgent ureteroscopy and laser treatment within four to six weeks. A Divisional Investigation Report later revealed that the relevant form to book this procedure was not completed or submitted.

Mr Z continued to have ongoing pain, urinary frequency and haematuria and made numerous attempts to chase urology for a date for his procedure, with the assistance of his GP.

Mr Z attended A&E at Princess Royal Hospital again in November 2022. He had worsening pain and was passing a large amount of blood in his urine. He was again advised to attend The Royal Shrewsbury Hospital. It was noted that he was now 12 weeks post stent insertion. He was discharged home with Tamsulosin and Buscopan.

In January 2023, Mr Z continued to experience pain and a burning sensation on urination. He was prescribed antibiotics and his GP advised his to chase urology again. A referral for surgery was made, to be seen within four weeks.

Mr Z’s symptoms worsened and by February 2023, he had lower back pain, haematuria and have become incontinent. A CT scan noted that the end of the stent was in the urethra, not the bladder and had become malpositioned. He was listed for urgent surgery. The surgery was initially performed under local anaesthetic, however, it was revealed that the stent had become heavily encrusted and attempts at removal were unsuccessful. The decision was made to continue with the operation under general anaesthetic. A further attempt at removing the stent failed and the stent snapped. Worsening bleeding was noted and another stent was fitted, parallel to the encrusted stent. Mr Z was discharged home the same day.

Mr Z returned to The Royal Shrewsbury Hospital for removal of the encrusted stent and a stent replacement in April 2023. The broken stent was removed on the second attempt and laser treatment given to remove the stones.

Two days post-surgery, Mr Z developed post-operative sepsis and was conveyed to The Royal Shrewsbury Hospital via ambulance. He remained in hospital for three days.

In May 2023, Mr Z underwent a further procedure to remove the ureteric stent which was successful and he has since made a full recovery.

Following a formal complaint to the Trust, a Divisional Investigation Report was conducted which identified several failings in Mr Z’s care. Despite this, the Trust did not make early admissions and awaited a fully pleaded Letter of Claim.

Full admissions were ultimately secured and Lanyon Bowdler were able to secure damages of £16,000 for Mr Z.