MVP

Tag: patient rights

  • Surge in Medical Negligence Complaints Recorded by Patients’ Rights Observatory

    Surge in Medical Negligence Complaints Recorded by Patients’ Rights Observatory

    The Patients’ Rights Observatory has reported a significant increase in complaints regarding medical negligence, with 57 cases logged in September alone. This surge marks one of the highest monthly totals since the observatory’s establishment, just shy of the record 61 complaints received in January 2025.

    Many of the recent complaints highlight distressing incidents involving patient deaths, inadequate care, and alarming lapses in communication within healthcare settings. Families have begun approaching authorities, seeking formal investigations into these troubling cases.

    Medical negligence: Concerning Patterns Emerge

    Reports from citizens indicate a worrying trend of long waits in accident and emergency (A&E) departments, with patients often left without necessary updates about their health. Instances of neglect have been noted both in A&E units and hospital wards, leading to complications for patients. Surgical interventions have also been called into question, with some patients facing worsened conditions or unnecessary procedures.

    Distressing Accounts from Families

    In one particularly harrowing case, an elderly patient died while hospitalised, with the family alleging that a series of care failures contributed to the tragedy. They reported extended delays in receiving medical attention upon arrival at A&E and inadequate treatment for infections during the hospital stay. The letter detailing these grievances was shared by the Federation of Patient Associations of Cyprus (CyFPA/OSAK), which has been vocal about the need for accountability in such matters.

    Another complaint involved a patient who, after being told his post-operative recovery was progressing normally, later died. An autopsy was conducted, but the family is now grappling with delays in receiving crucial results, further compounding their distress.

    Underestimation of Symptoms

    Several citizens have come forward with stories of misdiagnosis and inadequate assessments, particularly in A&E departments. One patient exhibited serious symptoms that were misinterpreted as psychological issues, leading to a dangerous delay in receiving appropriate medical care. The next day, doctors discovered a severe complication that had already caused irreversible damage, necessitating urgent surgery.

    Alarming Surgical Mishaps

    Another complaint raised concerns regarding a surgical procedure that deviated significantly from what was described to the patient. Initially assured that the operation would be minimally invasive, the patient experienced a lengthy procedure with a large incision, which ultimately did not resolve the underlying issue. Contradictory information from the surgeon about the need for a follow-up surgery has left the patient and family confused and frustrated, especially after a second opinion revealed no improvement.

    Failures in Communication and Care

    Reports of poor communication during hospitalisation are also prevalent. One family described how their elderly relative faced numerous challenges, including a lack of updates about transfers to other wards, neglect of personal hygiene, and chaotic discharge procedures. They highlighted serious shortcomings in care that they believe contributed to a negative outcome.

    Seeking Accountability

    The Patients’ Rights Observatory does not directly investigate allegations of medical negligence but records such complaints and directs citizens to the appropriate authorities. However, many individuals express reluctance to lodge formal complaints, fearing that their grievances will not lead to meaningful change.

    The data collected by the observatory reflects a pressing need for improvements within the healthcare system. As complaints continue to rise, the call for greater accountability and better patient care becomes more urgent.

  • A e: Doctors Criticise A&E Raids by Audit Office Officials

    A e: Doctors Criticise A&E Raids by Audit Office Officials

    a e — a e — Doctors are voicing their outrage following the unexpected overnight raids by Audit Office officials at the accident and emergency departments of both Nicosia and Limassol general hospitals on October 1. The inspections were conducted in a manner deemed offensive by the medical community, raising serious concerns about patient privacy and the integrity of medical data.

    Sotiris Koumas, president of the Pancyprian Union of Government Doctors, expressed his frustration about the demands placed on the medical staff. He stated, “The manner in which the inspections were conducted and the demands made by Audit Office officials were offensive and certainly exceeded limits in some cases, as they asked doctors, amongst other things, to prove they had served a patient by presenting data in the electronic files of General Healthcare System beneficiaries.”

    Koumas highlighted that no entity has the right to access the medical data of any patient who has visited the A&E, questioning the relevance of patient medical information to the purpose of the Audit Office’s inspections. “This is also a violation of patients’ rights, amongst many other things,” he added.

    During the raids, doctors on duty were reportedly asked to present their identity cards to verify their registration as medical professionals on duty that night. Koumas commented, “In other words, you call a doctor to leave his post whilst they are on active duty, and you ask them to show you their identity card. I think this is not the way for the Audit Office to conduct an inspection.”

    Adding to the controversy, officials are said to have contacted on-call doctors at home to assess their response times. Koumas explained, “At 1 am and 2 am they were telephoning doctors to check whether they would respond. If this is indeed true, it means that other serious issues arise.” These actions have prompted the union to consider the implications of such practices on the working environment for medical professionals.

    While Koumas acknowledged the Audit Office’s mandate to investigate potential abuses of power or misuse of public funds, he firmly reiterated that this does not justify the demand to access patient files. He stated, “With all due respect to the Audit Office and the Auditor General, access to patient files is permitted only to their doctor, and this is why only doctors have access to GHS files.”

    The union leader expressed concern about some colleagues who complied with requests to access patient files to confirm their treatments. He noted, “It is also very serious that some colleagues accepted and accessed the files of patients they had served in order to prove it.”

    Koumas concluded that the actions of both the audit officials and the doctors who acquiesced to these demands reflect a troubling environment that requires further scrutiny and discussion. He remarked, “The specific behaviours, both from the audit officials and from the doctors themselves, are the result of a climate that has been created and requires both analysis and criticism. Unfortunately, we have set a precedent.”

  • Quadriplegic Woman Dies After Prolonged Wait for Medical Care in Cyprus

    Quadriplegic Woman Dies After Prolonged Wait for Medical Care in Cyprus

    A quadriplegic woman tragically died following an eight-hour wait for medical attention at Larnaca General Hospital, raising serious concerns about negligence in the healthcare system.

    • A quadriplegic woman tragically died following an eight-hour wait for medical attention at Larnaca General Hospital, raising serious concerns about negligence in the healthcare system.

    Demetris Lambrianides, president of the Cyprus Paraplegic Organisation, has alleged that the 62-year-old patient was not attended to for hours after arriving at the Accident and Emergency Department. According to Lambrianides, the woman was admitted at 8:30 on a Monday morning but did not see a doctor until eight hours later, only after her relatives pressed for immediate care.

    The patient’s medical history included a rare form of progressive myelopathy, which warranted prompt attention. After the lengthy wait, a pulmonology resident finally examined her, but by then her condition had worsened significantly.

    Following her examination, the woman was admitted to the Pulmonology Clinic the next afternoon, but her health continued to decline. Overnight, she suffered a cardiac arrest and was moved to the Intensive Care Unit. It was during this transfer that family members were informed that she had been without oxygen for over 20 minutes, leading to serious damage to her vital organs.

    Lambrianides expressed frustration over the lack of communication from the hospital regarding the exact cause of death and how her condition deteriorated so rapidly. The family remains in the dark about critical details surrounding her passing.

    In a poignant social media post, Lambrianides questioned the systemic issues within the healthcare system, stating, “How was her life torturously lost within GHS, in a European country? In a rich, generous health system without the required/necessary safety and quality for patients?” He lamented the unacceptable reality of emergency departments where patients face waits of at least eight hours.

    This incident has ignited a broader conversation about the quality and efficiency of healthcare services in Cyprus, particularly for vulnerable populations. Advocates are calling for immediate reforms to ensure that similar tragedies do not occur in the future.