THE head of the county's hospitals NHS Trust said it is "extremely rare" for people to need life-changing amputations following medical negligence.

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust also said thorough investigations are carried out as it was revealed there were between one and five instances in the last three years.

Accident Claims revealed the figures stating that some Trusts did not confirm specific numbers due to concerns about patient confidentiality but did provide estimated figures. 

Stephen Collman, managing director of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, said: "Processes are in place to investigate incidents from these exceptionally rare outcomes.

“If incidents like this do occur, a thorough investigation is carried out.

"If there are any failings in the care of any patient, we work closely with legal representatives and NHS Resolution to agree suitable compensation.”

Data was gathered by Accident Claims through freedom of information (FOI) requests to all NHS Trusts in the country.

These types of incidents are referred to as ‘never events’ by the NHS and defined as “serious, largely preventable patient safety incidents that should not occur if healthcare providers have implemented existing national guidance or safety recommendations.”

Nick Banks, head of clinical negligence at JF Law, which owns the Accident Claims brand, pinpointed the financial impact amputations can have on patients.

“Losing a limb is life-changing and can be devastating for patients and their families." he said.

“As well as the obvious emotional impact, injuries can cause a bigger financial impact than many households can bear, particularly in the current cost of living crisis, when many are already struggling to make ends meet.

“Whilst some people understandably worry that making a claim will affect frontline care, the reality is that hospitals and GPs are always insured against such claims. 

“As such, any damages owed are paid by the insurers, and do not affect the care other patients are receiving.”

While Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust did respond to the FOI request, not all NHS Trusts  responded due to various reasons including delays due to staffing issues. 

Some Trusts denied the request, estimating that the cost of recovering the data would be in excess of what is deemed ‘reasonable’ under the FOI Act.