Davies and Partners Solicitors - Devon

21/07/2023

This one is close to our hearts.... July is sarcoma awareness month.

Only 1 in 10 people know the symptoms of bone and soft tissue sarcoma. There are around 5,300 people diagnosed in the UK each year.

We want to raise awareness of this type of cancer.

16/06/2023

James Wickett invited to House of Commons in support of bereaved families

In support of bereaved families James Wickett, specialist medical negligence solicitor at Davies and Partners, was recently invited to the House of Commons to attend a committee room meeting hosted by Andrew Bidgend MP.

The “Towards Justice Reception” was arranged to discuss evidence that the Liverpool Care Pathway, which involves the intentional hastening of death in end-of-life patients, and which was ruled unlawful several years ago, is still, seemingly, in use today.

https://devon.dpmedicallaw.co.uk/james-wicket-invite-to-house-of-commons-committee-in-support-of-bereaved-parents/

08/06/2023

Monitoring in pregnancy – why is it important?

A recent study in the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (BJOC)[1], published in April 2023, looked back at over 21,000 records where antenatal monitoring had taken place between 2000 and 2020 to see if stillbirths occurred more frequently when the Dawes Redman criteria had not been met. It found that around 1 in 16 pregnancies did not meet the criteria (more often in lower gestation pregnancies than in full term pregnancies) and there was a higher risk of stillbirth in this group.

For the full article please follow link

In cases involving baby loss or birth injuries, whether monitoring was done properly or interpreted accurately is a key factor to investigate. One of the most important tools used during pregnancy to monitor the health of the baby is called the cardiotocograph (CTG). CTG is a non-invasive test that....

01/06/2023

Please take a moment to watch this short film published by APIL (a bereaved daughter talks about her ineligibility for bereavement damages after the death of her father).

Sabiha’s father was killed as a result of negligence while in hospital. Sabiha was very close to her dad but she is not eligible for statutory bereavement damages for her loss. Only a very restricted list of family members can claim bereavement damages in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The law leaves no room for other loving family relationships, including the grieving parents of adult children, unmarried fathers, and siblings. It does not reflect modern society and needs to change. The law in Scotland has no problem with assessing cases individually. When it comes to support for bereaved people, this is not the case in the United Kingdom.

01/06/2023

Today is the start of SANDS (Stillbirth and neonatal death charity) awareness month.

SANDS are running a month long campaign to raise awareness of the impact of neonatal death and still birth.

This national UK charity provides free support to bereaved parents in the form of individual and group support.

This month long event aims to raise funds and as well as awareness.

We share this banner to show our support and to help raise awareness of the amazing work that SANDS do.

09/03/2023

This week is Hydrocephalus Awareness Week. The Devon Office would like to help spread awareness of Hydrocephalus and the support that the Shine Charity offers.

01/03/2023

Happy to have sponsored Taw Valley Ladies Hockey Club who have raised money for Families in Grief❤️

Another month gone!

As we hit March our calendar is supported by of Beaford. We extend massive thanks to them for sponsoring and helping us raise £150 each for both Taw Valley HC and

March sees Taw Valley close out their season, prepare and compete in Under 10 County Finals and host our various end of season celebrations.

25/11/2022

17/11/2022

What is Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES)?

CES is the term used to describe compression of the nerves at the end of the spinal cord. The phrase, “cauda equina”, literally means “tail of horse”. It describes the anatomy of the spinal cord in the low back, where the spinal cord divides into bundles of nerves and looks like a horse’s tail.

Compression of the spinal cord at this level can lead to serious and permanent neurological injury, including paralysis. Although there are several potential causes, CES most frequently occurs following a large lower lumbar disc herniation or prolapse.

CES is a medical emergency. It is important to know the red flags. If you have any combination of the symptoms listed below it is important to seek urgent medical attention. Unfortunately, in a minority of cases, the diagnosis can be missed resulting in life changing injury.

If you would like further information, please get in touch with our medical negligence team.

https://devon.dpmedicallaw.co.uk/

09/05/2022

Meet the newest member of our North Devon office. Jo has joined the team as a paralegal in our clinical negligence department.