Expert in demand for medical negligence claims
Any medical professional can illustrate how the Covid pandemic had a major impact on an already stressed NHS system.
Waiting lists have soared in many areas hundreds of thousands without treatment for long periods and medical negligence claims are also soaring due to delays in diagnosis.
For example, according to a recent report from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, there have been 3,739 gynaecology medical negligence claims reported to NHS Resolution – the health service’s claims handling arm - since 2019, costing £32.6m.
The report also revealed more than 760,000 are on the waiting list for appointments.
It comes as no surprise to Consultant Gynaecologist and Obstetrician Dr Kyle Gilmour who has worked with TLA for the last five years.
He says: “I think the pandemic has caused an increase in litigation in emergency gynaecology. People weren't being seen face-to-face and there were delays in the pathways. We are now seeing in the media gynaecology is an area where waiting times are unacceptably long. That has meant a rise in the pressures on the NHS system has led to an increase in clinical negligence.”
Dr Gilmour is Gynaecological Cancer and Colposcopy surgeon who practices privately, based mainly at The Alexandra Hospital in Manchester as well as other private hospitals in Manchester and Cheshire.
He specialises in laparoscopic surgery, endometriosis, hysteroscopic surgery, prolapse surgery and hysterectomy.
Originally from Northern Ireland, he studied Medicine at Manchester University Medical School and completed his postgraduate training in the North West during which he undertook research into hormone replacement therapy and gynaecological cancer. He is also certified to perform pelvic ultrasound scans and has expertise in the management of fibroids and period problems by laparoscopic surgery techniques.
Dr Gilmour adds: “I have carried out major operations for many years and have particular expertise in major gynaecology surgery and hysterectomy complications, so I have expertise with regard to negligence in these areas. Hormone replacement therapy is also a big clinical and research interest of mine. I have written papers on the effect of HRT on endometrial cancer risk and other similar areas.
“There's is a lot of negligence around the misprescribing of HRT so that is certainly somewhere I can truly work as an expert. I also practice colposcopy and one of my key medical legal interests is the mismanagement of cervical smears.”
Dr Gilmour is a member of the British Society of Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology, the British Menopause Society and the British Society of Gynaecological Endoscopy.
In the last year he has produced 48 reports with the majority of the work being negligence and personal injuries a small part of it. He is keen to stress that working with TLA makes this part of his work much easier.
He says: “TLA is a very well organised and helpful organisation. There is never any confusion or difficulties working with them and I am very happy with the service they provide.”
When he does have time off, Dr Gilmour is a sheep farmer in the Peak District and a keen football fan.
He says: “For my sins, I'm also a Manchester United season ticket holder - that's given me lots of stress over the last few years!”