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Cumberlege review report first do no harm

Sara Westwood, Partner and Medical Negligence Expert at Hatch Brenner Solicitors in Norwich

The Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Review, chaired by Baroness Julia Cumberlege, was published yesterday (8th July). Its report, titled ‘First Do No Harm’ – a phrase that the report hopes will serve as a guiding principle, and the starting point, not only for doctors but for all the other component parts of the healthcare system.

The two-year review has considered patient testimony from 700 women and their families along with evidence concerning three medical interventions:

The report sets out nine major recommendations to bring support and help to the mothers, children and families who have suffered as a result of these interventions.

Cumberlege Review’s nine major recommendations

Sadly, one of the key findings in the report was that complaints and worries were often dismissed as “women’s problems”, which has left many women traumatised, intimidated and confused. When calling for a UK Government apology, Baroness Cumberlege said, “I have conducted many reviews and inquiries over the years, but I have never encountered anything like this; the intensity of suffering experienced by so many families, and the fact that they have endured it for decades. Much of this suffering was entirely avoidable, caused and compounded by failings in the health system itself.”

Following the report, it is hoped that lessons can be learned to prevent avoidable harm from medicines and medical devices happening in the future.

Peter Walsh, Chief Executive of AvMA said, “AvMA welcomes the Cumberlege Review recommendations and would like to pay tribute to the women and their families who have fought so hard for this…The challenge now will be to ensure that the recommendation are implemented well.”

The report in full can be viewed here.

Partner and Solicitor, Sara Westwood has previously acted on behalf of women who have suffered an injury following a mesh tape procedure. She is highly experienced in these claims and handles them with sensitivity and compassion.

Contact Sara for a confidential consultation if you think that you or a loved one may have a case.

T: 01603 214 220

E: [email protected]

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