BARRY HEALY & COMPANY SOLICITORS MONAGHAN T/A HEALYLAW DELAYED DIAGNOSIS

What does 'delayed diagnosis' mean?

Depending on the patient pathway chosen, a number of causes could be to blame for the failure to deliver a diagnosis. A patient should be referred by their general practitioner (GP) if they see symptoms of a condition that needs a specialist's attention. Many general practitioners like to be cautious in their approach and will refer if there is even the slightest indication of illness. However, this could result in an incorrect or delayed diagnosis if they fail to recognize symptoms of a potentially deadly condition.

It is the responsibility of the medical staff to do the required medical work to evaluate whether the patient need additional medical assistance if the patient presents to their local A&E department with particular disease symptoms. A patient could be discharged when they should have been hospitalised or referred if the disease's early symptoms are missed. Medical professionals still have a duty of care to patients in such circumstances, despite the fact that A&E departments might occasionally be quite busy. If a scan was misinterpreted, causing a delay in diagnosis, or if the doctor wasn't qualified to make the diagnosis, these actions may be considered medical negligence.

Call Barry Healy & Company, Solicitors Monaghan T/A Healy Law 047 71556

barry@healylaw.ie