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 An Abbots couple have called on the help of their local MP as they seek an explanation from the NHS over the failed operation of their son which resulted in further surgery. My Abbots reported on the traumatic ordeal that five-year-old Jack Del Greco went through back in our June issue after he was rushed to hospital to have an orchidopex, which is a procedure in which a boy's undescended testicles are surgically pulled from the abdomen down into the scrotum. Following the operation, the surgeon who carried out the operation told Paul and Anita that Jack had two incisions, one on his lower side, which had been closed by dissolvable stitches, and the other under his scrotum, which had been glued. The surgery had not worked, as Jack was rushed back to hospital later the same day after Anita had found the wound had opened up. A letter from the West Herts Hospitals said sutures were used in the first operation and not glue, and also stated Jack would have been regularly checked following the operation. Naturally, the couple want an explanation as to what actually happened. The matter has now been referred to the NHS Litigation Authority who have said that Jack was stitched and not glued, and claimed they have proof.
"I’ve heard from other sources that the mistake could make him infertile, and they claim they told me this before the first operation. They never told me that,” said Anita. What Anita and Paul are annoyed about is that they are being told the first operation used stitches, when the surgeon who carried out the second operation told her the glue must have failed.
“We’re now being told stitches were used for the first operation. If that’s the case, there would have been some remnants when it burst open, there were none.” Anita wrote to complain and was offered a meeting, but was not allowed to have anyone with legal or medical knowledge present. For this reason, the couple declined.
When the case was referred to the NHS Litigation Authority, Anita wrote to them and received a response five months later, claiming they had proof stitches were used for the first operation. Anita also queried Jack having two general anaesthetics so close together as she feared it could leave him with possible asthma; they said it would never infect him. She also queried the level of care he received n the day care unit. “They claimed he was regularly checked and state they have statements from nurses claiming he was checked regularly. He was never checked and I know they were ringing round trying to get staff on that day. “I’ve asked whether they are going to check people on a regular basis on the day care ward and they said they do. They don’t.” The couple have now sent all the documentation off to Watford MP Claire Ward and told her that this should not be happening. Within 48 hours the couple had received a reply from her secretary, and then a written letter from MP Ward herself, which also included a permission slip for her to carry out her own investigation. “She was very interested and wanted permission to contact the hospital and get all the information she required.” The couple have asked for a reinvestigation and want proof that Jack was checked and why he required the second emergency surgery. I’m willing to fight this, even if I’m still fighting in 20 years time. They can’t treat people like this. There were four or five children on that ward, and not one of them were checked.” So what would the ideal outcome be? “The ideal outcome for me would be an answer as to why it happened. I’m concerned that this has happened and it shouldn’t. Is this the future of our hospitals?” Jack has recovered well from his ordeal, but he will not go to the toilet on his own anymore after his surgery. Anita and My Abbots would be interested to hear from the parents of the children who were on the ward at the same time as Jack that had the same, or similar, operation. We would also be interested to hear from anyone whose child had the same surgery and problems at Watford General Hospital Contact us at
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