Women treated by Mr Arunkalaivanan, uro-gynaecologist, urged to get legal advice

Medical Negligence lawyers at national law firm Shoosmiths are assisting women who have suffered complications following surgery performed by uro-gynaecologist, Mr Arunkalaivanan (more commonly known as Mr Arun) during the course of his employment with Sandwell & West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust.

The Trust made a decision in January 2009 to stop implanting the synthetic mesh as a first surgical treatment to repair pelvic floor prolapses. The decision was made following release of new national guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and was in line with many other NHS Trusts. However, it appears that Mr Arun failed to comply and follow the decision made by the Trust as he continued to use the mesh.

This led to The Trust carrying out an internal enquiry and writing to a number of women who had been treated by Mr Arun, advising them of the concerns and offering a medical review by a senior Gynaecologist. The first contact was made in December 2015 and those women who had not yet made contact with the Trust were again contacted at the end of August 2016.

Shoosmiths settled a case for a woman who suffered complications, which rendered her housebound, following mesh surgery performed by Mr Arun in April 2009. The Trust was notified of that case in October 2012 and it is not clear why it took a further three years before the Trust contacted other patients of Mr Arun.

Richard Bannister, the specialist medical negligence solicitor who handled that case said:

‘My client (who does not wish to be named in view of the nature of the ongoing problems she suffered) had to undergo further surgery in December 2009 to repair the damage caused by the mesh Mr Arun implanted. Whilst the surgery has not resolved all the problems she suffered following the initial surgery, she no longer suffers the pain caused by the extruding mesh. I am concerned that other women who have suffered complications from the mesh may have been denied access to earlier medical review and treatment.’

Bannister adds:

‘The Trust has proposed a special scheme to manage cases involving treatment by Mr Arun, and we would urge women to seek legal advice as soon as possible, either in relation to treatment provided by Mr Arun, or other clinicians who used mesh at Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust.’

To assist anyone worried about their treatment by uro-gynaecologist Mr Arun at the Sandwell & West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust, Shoosmiths held an open day at their Colmore Square offices in Birmingham on the 17 October 2016.

Women treated by Mr Arun who were unabe to attend are encouraged to contact Shoosmiths for a free of charge, no obligation discussion with a specialist lawyer if they have any concerns.

Call our client services team on 03700 868686 to obtain legal advice from one of our specialist lawyers.

Alternatively, you can enquire via the form below or request a call back from us at a time that suits you.

ENDS

Disclaimer

This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. It is recommended that specific professional advice is sought before acting on any of the information given. © Shoosmiths LLP 2024