Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust Apologises Over Delays That Led to Irreversible Vision Loss

Lawyers call for transparency as multiple patients raise similar care concerns

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust has issued an apology to a patient who suffered irreversible vision loss due to delays in treatment following eye surgery in 2021.

Mr Stephen Hawkes, 66,from Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, underwent surgery at Southend Hospital’s Ophthalmology Department in August 2021 to repair a detached retina.

As part of the procedure, silicone oil was injected into his eye. Although the surgery initially appeared successful, Mr Hawkes began experiencing worsening vision and persistently high eye pressure soon after.

Over the following months, he repeatedly raised concerns during follow-up appointments and phone consultations, but no action was taken. By June 2022, he attended A&E with severe pain and complete vision loss in his right eye. By this point, the damage was irreversible, resulting in severe glaucoma and near-total blindness.

Determined to understand what had gone wrong, Mr Hawkes instructed Fletchers Solicitors to investigate the care he had received, believing his vision loss could have been prevented.

In September 2023, the Trust issued a formal letter of apology, admitting liability for failings in his care. The Trust acknowledged that there had been a negligent delay in reviewing Mr Hawkes’s intraocular pressure between September 2021 and June 2022, a failure to arrange necessary follow-up appointments, and that he had been inadvertently discharged from care.

This forced Mr Hawkes to seek a referral back through his GP, adding further delays to his treatment.

In its letter, the Trust expressed “deep regret” and admitted that had Mr Hawkes’s condition been properly monitored and addressed, his devastating vision loss could have been avoided. The case has also now settled, with a compensation payout that reflects the impact of his injuries on his life.

However, while the Trust has also indicated that an internal investigation has identified areas for improvement, Mr Hawkes’s legal team says they have since been contacted by various other patients who have raised similar concerns regarding delayed treatment.

They are now calling for the findings of the internal investigation to be made public and urging the Trust to clarify what changes have been made to prevent further harm and restore confidence in its ophthalmology services.

Mr Hawkes, reflecting on his ordeal, said: “I hoped everything would go back to normal after surgery, but as the months passed, I felt my vision deteriorating. I kept raising concerns, but I was always told to wait. By the time they acted, it was far too late.

 “Losing my vision has completely changed my life. Even simple tasks like judging distances are nearly impossible.  Knowing this could have been avoided is devastating.

“It’s also a real worry to know that others may have been affected, although sadly I can’t say I am surprised. Throughout my initial diagnosis and then when I was undergoing treatment I didn’t feel like there was much empathy for what I was going through. I felt like I was an inconvenience to both the medical and support staff at the hospital.

“I really do hope that has been picked up on as part of the internal investigation that has taken place. Perhaps if patients felt they were being listened to when they were raising their concerns improvements would be made.”

Christian Beadell, Head of Medical Negligence Group Actions at Fletchers Solicitors, echoed these concerns and urged the Trust to provide reassurances that meaningful changes are being implemented.

“While the Trust’s apology and admission of liability in Mr Hawkes’s case is a step in the right direction, it raises serious questions about the wider failings within its ophthalmology services. We are representing several patients whose are reporting similar concerns in relation to delays in care. The Trust must demonstrate that lessons have been learned and that real improvements have been implemented to prevent further harm.”

Christian added, “Without transparency and decisive action, it is difficult for patients to feel confident that improvements are taking place. The focus must be on ensuring no one else experiences such devastating and avoidable consequences.”

Fletchers Solicitors are currently investigating other similar negligence claims against Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust for ophthalmology delays. Learn more about our group action and how me may be able to help.