Although the volume of claims has remained largely stable over the course of the last two years (apart from a modest 2% increase in 2018/19), the NHS is facing the prospect of paying out £4.3 billion in legal fees to settle outstanding claims in the financial year just gone.
But what are the most commons types of medical negligence claim, and why do these place such a significant burden on the national health service in the UK?
1. Medical Misdiagnosis
Let’s start with medical misdiagnosis, which occurs when a healthcare provider fails to successfully diagnose a condition in a way that leads to unnecessary suffering on behalf of the patient.
This provides the foundation for most medical negligence claims, with as many as one-in-six patients treated by NHS hospitals and GP surgeries misdiagnosed on average.
Medical misdiagnosis falls into two distinct camps; namely where a condition is completely missed and ends up going undiagnosed or where an incorrect diagnosis is made.
In both instances, such clinical errors will lead to the failure to provide adequate treatment, which depending on the severity of the underlying condition can trigger incredibly costly claims and incur life-threatening risks.
2. Surgical Negligence
While the NHS provides exceptional healthcare in most instances. A sustained lack of spending and a fundamental lack of resources has increases the number of surgical errors made nationwide.
Surgical negligence tends to trigger the most serious and costly claims. With certain instances labelled as ‘never events’ as they should never happen and are completely unacceptable in the eyes of the law.
To provide some context. The period between April 1st and October 31st, 2015 saw 79 instances in which surgery was performed. The wrong body part and a further 46 cases where patients retained a foreign object after the operation.
While this type of negligence is incredibly rare. It also triggers the biggest payouts and can often stretch NHS resources to the bone.
3. Prescription and Medication Errors
Every day, hundreds of thousand of prescriptions are written and dispensed throughout the UK. With the vast majority of these processed without error.
However, errors do occur in some instances. Whether you tack the wrong drug or the prescription is wrong
Such errors may be the fault of either the prescribing doctor or the pharmacist administering the prescription. While there may also be some crossover between this type of case and aforementioned medical misdiagnosis claims.
In many instances, such errors are not hugely impactful, although taking the wrong medication. Or a larger than necessary dosage can have a negative effect on a patient’s long-term physical wellbeing.
Under regular circumstances, whether you’re planning a full renovation or just need to unclog your sink, finding a good tradesman can often feel like a job in itself. There are thousands of contractors working in the UK and, unfortunately, it’s not always easy to separate reputable tradesmen from the cowboys. In fact, a third of Brits delay home improvements because they’re scared of putting their property in the wrong hands.
But things are even more complicated as we are not living under normal conditions but dealing with the global pandemic, COVID-19. At this time, it’s not recommended to hire a contractor for inside work unless absolutely necessary, but this does not mean that you should not hire tradesman for some of your outside projects.
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If you do have an emergency and need to bring a tradesman inside, there are some precautions you can take to help ensure you and your family remain safe.
Screening Measures
When you first call to schedule your tradesman, verify on the phone that the person does not have any COVID-19 symptoms and hasn’t travelled recently. When your tradesman arrives, verify these details with him or her again.
Protective Gear
While it is very common for the tradesman to wear gloves when working during COVID-19, you should have facemasks on hand for the contractor, as well as protective shoe covers (if available), for added extra protection.
Social Distancing and Disinfecting
Once the tradesman enters your home, make sure to practice social distancing by staying at least two metres away to avoid COVID-19. If you need to pay the tradesman in person, pass your credit card from a distance; do not touch the tradesman directly. Clean your credit card afterwards with a disinfectant wipe or spray. Thoroughly disinfect all surfaces and wash your hands and save yourself from COVID-19.
While hiring a tradesman for indoor work should only be in case of an emergency, hiring one for outside jobs is much safer to avoid COVID-19. It is again important to ensure social distancing during this time. There are plenty of top tradesmen who are committed to doing brilliant work — you just need to know how to spot them. Follow these tips to help you find the best professional for your outside jobs.
Referrals from Loved Ones
It’s promising when a tradesman has been specifically recommended by their former customers, and the best referrals will come from your family and friends. Since your loved ones have your best interests at heart, you know you can trust them when they give their tradesman a glowing review. If nobody springs to mind when you ask around, you could always ask a tradesman you’ve previously worked with to recommend somebody for the job. For example, your electrician may be able to suggest a capable industry contact like a roofer or plasterer.
Verify their Credentials
Although there are plenty of websites listing quality contractors, it’s best to take them with a grain of salt. Many of these platforms use paid-for listings or base them on customer reviews that can be easily manipulated. The two resources you should always consult are TrustMark.org.uk, a Government-endorsed quality scheme, and the Federation of Master Builders. The Federation is the largest trade association in the UK in which every member has been independently inspected and vetted to prove their calibre. You should also ask to see evidence of your tradesman’s qualifications and ensure they are registered with relevant industry bodies. For example, contractors dealing with gas must be registered with GasSafe, and plumbers with WaterSafe.
Check for Insurance
Never hire a tradesman who doesn’t have adequate insurance cover. Citizens Advice Bureau states that: “If a contractor doesn’t have the right insurance, and things go wrong or someone’s hurt, you could be forced to pay to fix things, or go to court and pay damages and legal fees.”
The two types of insurance that are absolutely non-negotiable are public liability and employer’s liability. The former covers the costs if construction work causes property damage or injures someone, while the latter is designed for when an employee makes a claim against the contractor’s business itself. It is also a legal requirement for all tradesmen working with a team, so you must make sure that any potential hires are able to produce certificates which prove they have these policies in place.
Ask for Examples of Previous Work
You can get a better idea of what to expect from a prospective tradesman by looking at the jobs they’ve done in the past. Though there will probably be plenty of photographs available on their website, you should still ask for more, so you have a broader selection. Be sure that they include images from similar projects to the one they’ll be undertaking at your home. And make sure you also see recent pictures of older jobs. This allows you to check whether the quality of their work has been long-lasting.
Written Quotes
A reputable tradesman will put into writing every cost associated with the project. Never accept a verbal estimate of the price. Because there will be nothing to stop them from changing this figure later on. Even a written estimate isn’t always sufficient, as it doesn’t count as a binding agreement. A written quotation is the only acceptable format, as it will detail all charges, the duration of the job. And highlight anything that is subject to change. This means you shouldn’t be hit with any nasty surprises once the project is underway. And if there are any disputes down the line. You can fall back on this document to prove what you had agreed to with your tradesman.
Shop Around
Even if your tradesman appears to tick all the boxes, don’t be afraid to explore your options. It’s a good idea to get at least three separate quotes so you can compare. How much the project will cost in terms of both labour and materials. And therefore improve your chances of getting the best deal. If one person is charging significantly less. Think about why that may be — are they using lower-quality materials or cutting corners when it comes to certain tasks? Also question any quote which seems extortionate. Shockingly, 75% of construction workers have admitted to charging more to customers with ‘posh’ names. Similarly, around 80% up their prices when working in fancy looking houses or upmarket areas. Once you have weighed up your options. You’ll feel all the more confident that you’ve chosen the most suitable tradesman for the job.
About Darragh Timlin
Darragh Timlin has more than 20 years of experience in the insurance industry. He is currently the Underwriting Director for Tradesman Saver. A trusted insurance company specialising in providing all forms of insurance to British Tradesmen for over 30 years. In this position, Darragh manages the relationships with the insurers and has overall control of binding authorities.
Dispensing lenses to your patients is one of the most important parts of being an optician. After all, if you can’t give patients quality lenses at the end of their eye examination, you could be losing out on business. In today’s day and age, when technology is everything, it’s key that ables you to reinvent your practice and offer to improve services.
Being able to measure patients’ eyes is critical to a successful optician’s practice. With new technology emerging all the time, this is a process that could be made much easier. Dispensing instruments such as Visioffice X are becoming available for opticians, but what difference can dispensing instruments make to your practice?
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The benefits of Modern Dispensing Instruments
Dispensing instruments in an optician’s practice are an important way for opticians to measure effectiveness and ensure the right lens solution is provided. Precision is key, and by investing in modern instruments you can ensure your patients’ lenses and frames fit perfectly.
Having the right measuring and dispensing technology installed in your practice can make a huge difference to your patients’ experience when visiting. It is key to find new ways to engage patients and make sure they are genuinely interested in your services, as well as their eye health.
What can new dispensing instruments offer?
In a world where almost everything seems to drive by digital, consider investing in digital technology that makes your life easier. Dispensing instruments can be helpful in making sure patients’ lenses fit them, which is paramount to your job as a successful optician.
Choosing the right dispensing instrument can have an impact on the everyday running of your practice. However, allowing for a modern approach to measurements that even includes automation. Looking out for certain features can help you decide whether it’s the right piece of equipment for you.
New dispensing instruments will be designed with high definition cameras, precision markers and even voice control, making the process so much easier and efficient. This can make all the difference in providing an interactive measurement service, creating the chance to analyse patients’ posture to dispense the right lenses for the job.
This leads to a revolutionary way of dispensing lenses, ensuring they personalise for each patient who walks through the door. Personalised lenses could be a huge selling point for your practice; being able to offer a lens solution that matches each person down to 1/10th of a degree.
So, if you’re considering the next step for your practice and how to enhance your services, technology should be your first call.
CBD, otherwise known as Cannabidiol is one of the 104 chemical compounds found in the cannabis plant. CBD is a non-intoxicating component of the plant and is believed to boast many therapeutic effects on the human body and mind, hence its rise in popularity. As it is a non-psychoactive component, CBD oil does not cause the same euphoric sensation that is typically associated with cannabis.
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So, just why is CBD oil so popular?
Reduces anxiety and depression
Mental health issues have risen drastically in the past few years – one in eight children and young people aged between 5 and 19 now have a diagnosable mental health condition. Additionally, the number of 5-15-year-olds experiencing emotional disorders has increased by almost half at 48%. CBD could reduce anxiety and depression. Such conditions are usually treated with pharmaceutical drugs, however, these can cause a number of unwelcome side effects.
CBD oil has shown great promise as a successful treatment for both depression and anxiety, with many sufferers now opting to take this natural approach. Moreover, CBD oil has been used to safely treat insomnia and anxiety in children with PTSD. Sublingual drops are one of the most popular and versatile forms of CBD oil and are available from many online retailers, such as VSAVI.
Pain relief
Scientists have recently discovered that certain components of cannabis, including CBD, are responsible for its pain-relieving effects. The human body produces something called endocannabinoids; these are neurotransmitters that bind to cannabinoid receptors in your nervous system. Studies have shown that CBD may reduce chronic pain by impacting endocannabinoid receptor activity. This would reduce inflammation by interacting with neurotransmitters.
Treat skin conditions
Many studies have also suggested that CBD oil has a high potential for treating skin conditions, such as eczema. This is because it encourages abnormal cell death and helps to regulate the skin’s oil production – this also makes it a great treatment for acne. In 2014, a study reported by the Journal of Clinical Investigation found that CBD helps to lower the production of sebum, meaning it may just become the popular go-to treatment for acne.
Fights bacteria resistant to multi-drugs
Many experts claim that CBD is able to destroy drug-resistant strains of bacteria. It is said that CBD can slow down the progression of tuberculosis in rats; scientists claim that this is likely because CBD inhibits T-cell proliferation, rather than taking on antibacterial properties. This may just make CBD a powerful weapon against newly emerging antibiotic-resist superbugs.
Staves off addiction
CBD oil may be able to help people with addiction beat their withdrawal symptoms. A review published by the Journal Substance Abuse in 2015 found that CBD may well have a therapeutic effect on people with addictions to tobacco, cannabis, opioid, psycho-stimulants and cocaine addictions. This is because CBD reduces, or even blocks THC’s effect on the mind. While more research is certainly needed, current findings certainly suggest CBD is fab rather than a fad.
The thought of a dental checkup gives shivers to most of us; be it simply filling a cavity or getting a crown. To cater to this pressing need, Hallock Family Dental has initiated a measure to reduce the patients’ anxiety by simply explaining the basic dental treatment methods and procedures.
Let’s Explore Fillings and Crowns
Before getting into the detail of what exactly is a filling or a crown, let’s explore the causes behind the two procedures. The need for a filling arises when the structure of our teeth is lost primarily due to the damage caused by a combination of acids, food and bacteria. This happens when food gets stuck to your teeth and plagues your dental enamel and causes tooth decay. Thus requiring the need for a dental filling or crown for a more severe case.
A filling cures a tooth that has developed cavity by preventing the tooth structure from getting damaged completely. A filling prevents tooth to decay further and maintains dental hygiene.
If not treated properly and the cavity gets deeper, then a crown is applied on the tooth to fix its structure. Dental crowns are used to cover implants, restore a weak tooth, and are used for many other functions such as the cosmetic look of the teeth. However, the field of cosmetic dentistry is enhancing.
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Kinds of crowns and fillings
There are various types of fillings and crowns with different benefit catering to different dental problems.
Let’s explore each type based on its advantage.
Gold crowns are famous due to its long-lasting nature as they are designed to last for 20 years. However, a few patients can afford gold crowns owing to its expensive nature and also require multiple visits.
The porcelain filling is another option as it is similar in price to crowns but tooth removal is minimal. These fillings can be custom made according to the colour of your teeth and will not stain over time. Patients need separate appointments for this type of filling.
Silver amalgam fillings are lesser in price along with longer durability but they can only be used for the back teeth due to their dark colour.
Composite plastic resin fillings are also natural in their look but their durability is only 10 years and they stain over time.
Bruxir crowns are made of a solid piece of Zirconia. These crowns are durable, are made of natural colour and are made for people who clench their teeth often.
The most common type of crowns is Porcelain crowns fused to metal. These crowns have substructure made of metal with a protective layer of porcelain. They also match the natural teeth but the covering can damage due to excessive teeth clenching.
Usually, porcelain crowns are most pleasing for the eye as they are very similar to the natural tooth colour but are not durable. Additionally, other materials include stainless steel for crown making.
Why do we need these dental procedures?
In case of a cavity, a filling or a crown is required to fill up the opening that prevents further tooth decay. Although most small cavities are treated by a filling; but if the decay is too deep then a crown is required. When patients have weak tooth structure then a crown is advised by most dentists.
If cavities are not treated on time, they can worsen the dental health and lead to major complications. These issues include pain, tooth abscesses, accumulation of pus, broken teeth, chewing difficulty, and losing teeth at an early age.
In order to maintain adequate dental hygiene, you can follow the basic instructions:
How does a dentist treat these issues?
First of all, the dentist will remove the decay by using special tools. When the decay is clean, the area will be filled with the right filling material.
In case you require a crown placement, the dentist will first remove the remains of the previous filling to provide a strong base to the crown.
After a tooth is prepared for the crown, your current tooth structure will be reduced to make room for the new crown to get fixed. The dental lab takes the size or the impression of your current tooth. Since the lab takes some time to prepare a permanent crown thus a temporary crown (made of acrylic) is made to cover your tooth. Once made, the permanent crown is fixed.
Patients should visit the dentist even with a small issue such as toothache or tooth sensitivity as dental problems become worse if not treated on time. Other issues include teeth staining or pain while biting.
once you have been treated by the dentist, you still need a few days of bed rest before coming back to your previous routine. Here, you may need someone to support you in this regard and the best in this connection are PSW jobs.
The CBD Oil hype continues to grow, and there are even claims that it will help promote a healthy life. The number of CBD users continues to increase every day as they hope to enjoy the health benefits of CBD oil. These benefits include:
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1. Helps you quit smoking
A study published in 2013, claimed that CBD oil could help addicts quit smoking. According to the study, CBD oil has the potential to remedy nicotine addiction. Vaping is considered a better alternative to smoking. Unlike smoking tobacco or cannabis, vaping doesn’t involve combustion, which means that it’s less harmful compared to smoking.
Also, CBD oil has therapeutic properties that will help break the cycle of addiction. It will also reduce the chances of relapse by reducing the addictive associations with situations that might trigger a relapse.
CBD oil also has inflammatory properties, which will are very useful when trying to quit nicotine. Among the common nicotine withdrawal symptoms include pain and headaches. Cigarette addicts who suffer from insomnia often smoke to induce a calming effect. CBD oil, such as Love Hemp can help addicts maintain restorative sleep without the side effects of sleep aid such as cigarettes.
2. Pain medication
Pain medications are effective, but they often lead to cardiovascular problems, bleeding, or addiction if used for too long. Countries like the US are struggling with opioid addiction. You can avoid these problems by using CBD oil, which is non-addictive and offers fast pain relief.
CBD oil is effective in managing pain associated with arthritis. It works on the sore areas, which in this case is the joints as well as the central nervous system. It calms the body’s response, making it the ideal remedy for pain.
3. CBD in fitness
Workouts tend to cause microscopic tears in the muscles. After a workout, it’s recommended that you rest to allow for adequate recovery. Love Hemp CBD oil can facilitate better recovery through its anti-inflammatory and sleep benefits.
It will help you sleep for the recommended 6-8 hours for optimal muscle recovery.
Instead of using steroids to avoid injuries and reduce inflammations, you can use CBD oil, which allows for better recovery. This will reduce injuries and inflammation.
Have you ever experienced soreness, discomfort, or pain after a workout? The sense of discomfort can last for a few hours to several days. It can help alleviate this sense of discomfort.
4. CBD encourages wellness
CBD oil interacts with the endocannabinoid system, which regulates body functions such as sleep, pain, appetite, immune system responses, and even hormone production. This also facilitates the optimal functioning of the endocannabinoid system. This ensures that all body functions maintain optimum performance. It promotes overall wellness by supplementing the body’s self-regulatory system.
CBD oil also promotes a healthy diet by offering essential minerals such as magnesium, calcium, B complex vitamins, vitamin C and E. These nutrients promote overall wellness by supplementing our diets.
CBD oil benefits everyone, regardless of whether you are healthy or not. It will help improve your health by providing fatty acids, terpenes, proteins, and other essential nutrients. It will also improve sleep, reduce inflammation and pain. All of these will ensure that your body consistently offers peak performance.
For those interested in learning more about or trying CBD oil in the UK, CBDShopy has a wide range of CBD oil available for sale.
