Solicitor warns faulty-hip patients on claims
Patients who may have received faulty hip implants have been urged not to sign any forms that may affect their ability to claim the costs of a new operation or compensation.
The warning was issued yesterday by Dublin solicitor Raymond Bradley, who said the makers of the implants, DePuy Orthopaedics, had circulated letters to around 160 orthopaedic surgeons.
It recently emerged that 3,516 patients in Ireland received implants that are at the centre of a worldwide recall because of faults in the devices.
Recalled
All patients are to be recalled for assessment and hundreds may yet need a new operation. The manufacturer wants the patients to pass on their medical records and return the faulty hip before receiving any financial compensation or funds to cover their costs.
A patient would be required to sign a form agreeing to these conditions if the manufacturer's letter was followed. Mr Bradley stressed it was essential the faulty hip be held in the custody of the patient as evidence.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) said yesterday it was still in talks with the company on how the medical costs of patients would be covered.
It has yet to be clarified if patients in need of new operations will have to join the waiting list again in public hospitals, or whether they will be fast-tracked.
The HSE said a process has been agreed to identify the patients affected. Hospitals will be making contact with all affected patients when the protocol for patient review and follow up has been finalised.
Arrangements are being put in place within hospitals to identify all of the patients who have had this implant as part of their hip replacement and they will be contacting patients in the coming weeks.
"Appropriate supports will be put in place in hospitals in the coming days to ensure that queries are handled in a timely manner. The process of contact and consultation with the orthopaedic surgeons will take place in the coming weeks," the HSE said.
- Eilish O'Regan Health Correspondent
Irish Independent
