Hudgell Solicitors hosts Yorkshire medical negligence conference

A legal conference for medical negligence professionals will be held in York in 2024 by Hudgell Solicitors. The event will focus on women’s health issues including obstetric care, birth trauma and health inequalities.

The one-day event is in its third year and will provide essential industry-leading medical and legal insights.

Speakers at the October conference include Sally Hatfield and Mary Ruck, KCs at Manchester’s Byrom Street Chambers, professor Nigel Bundred, a surgical oncologist at Manchester University NHS Trust and a consultant in obstetrics and gynaecology.

Hudgells’ principal solicitor Elizabeth Maliakal, who heads up the team organising the free event promises it to be an opportunity for knowledge sharing between industry leaders: “I’m excited about the conference as it’s going to be informative and an opportunity to collaborate and to network with experts in their field.

“We’re providing a programme which covers a broad spectrum of medical and legal topics that affect women’s health which are relevant to all those involved in medical negligence work, including defendant and claimant lawyers and other stakeholders such as experts and charities.”

Previously, Hudgells’ clinical negligence conferences have taken place in Hull where the firm has its head office. To widen engagement, it decided to move the events to York in 2024 to maintain and broaden its Yorkshire roots and share knowledge with delegates from other law firms across the region which operate in the same sector.

 

The focus this year will be on women’s health

“Hudgells is committed to shining a light on health inequalities, particularly those affecting women. Inequalities are becoming worse as evidenced in the recent report published by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) inquiry into birth trauma.

“Law firms are dealing with increased cases involving women and issues that affect their health. We hope to shine a light on those issues, campaign to improve women’s healthcare as well as legal outcomes in the unfortunate event that a claim must be made,” said Elizabeth.

A recent report revealed the NHS spent £4 billion alone over the last 11 years settling claims involving babies who suffered brain damage when being born, amid claims that maternity units are not learning from mistakes.

The APPG’s report found good care for pregnant women to be ‘the exception rather than the rule’, with ‘poor care all too frequently tolerated as normal’.

Several speakers are lined up for the event on Thursday 17 October 2024 at the Principal Hotel Company.

 

Sally Hatfield KC of Byrom Street Chambers

Sally focuses on claims arising from birth injury, paediatric injury and wrongful birth cases, including those relating to cerebral palsy, concentrating on cases of very severe damage. She is also an assistant coroner and editor of BPILS chapter on fatal accidents.

 

Mary Ruck KC of Byrom Street Chambers

Mary is a hugely popular choice for highly complex fatal delayed diagnosis and gynaecology cases. She has experience in birth-related brain injury cases and has a particular interest in the human rights aspect of medical law.

 

Professor Nigel Bundred – surgical oncologist

Nigel’s work at the largest unit of its kind in the country, involving management of all types of breast disease as well as thyroid problems. He is the author of more than 200 peer reviewed publications concerning all aspects of breast cancer management. Nigel also undertakes medico-legal work as an expert witness and is a member of the multi-disciplinary team providing evidence to the Paterson Inquiry.

 

Dr Angeli Thallon – consultant obstetrics and gynaecology

A consultant in this field since 2013, Angeli works in high-risk obstetrics. She is also contributes to the Ockenden Inquiry as lead for foetal monitoring.

 

Rachael McGrath, chair of Birth Trauma Association

BTA is a charity supporting parents who have been psychologically distressed by traumatic birth. It influences policy and contributes to research to improve UK maternity care and raise awareness. Rachael recently contributed to the recent APPG Birth Trauma Inquiry. She has also provided “lived experience” training to Hudgell Solicitors’ clinical negligence team.

Rachael commented: “I am so looking forward to speaking at this conference. Hudgells are doing incredible work, training staff in trauma informed practice and truly seeing the person behind the case number.

“Speaking from my own experience of a medical negligence case, this makes such a difference. We are incredibly grateful to the medical experts who are giving their time and offering an insight into their work.

“This event will focus on helping medical negligence lawyers, when considering potential future cases, and in managing existing cases successfully for their clients.”

 

Dr Dharshana Sridhar, campaign manager for Spinal Injuries Association

Dr Sridhar, a former cardiologist, works closely with politicians across the UK to influence policies. The SIA aims to reach everyone with a spinal cord injury and connect them to help and support. Hudgell Solicitors are ‘campaign for change’ partners with the SIA in three important campaigns: the bowel campaign, pressure sores and women’s health.

 

Dr Claire Wilson – chartered clinical psychologist

Claire specialises in PTSD in cases involving domestic violence and birth trauma. She also provides expert witness assessments and therapeutic work as part of rehabilitation during litigation.

 

Theresa Greenwood, clinical support executive at Hudgell Solicitors

Theresa is a registered midwife and uses her extensive knowledge to assist our legal teams in understanding and managing obstetric claims. She formally worked as a lead clinical governance and risk manager within the NHS and on secondment to the Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch (HSIB).

 

 

Register for the conference today.

 

Image: Provided by Hudgell Solicitors.