Permanent Pacemaker problem

[nilmonisikdar40]

I am a retired general practitioner. I had a cardiac pacemaker implanted on 22.2.2000. I have a yearly check up every year and till recently missed something important and all these years suffered in silence. I went to see cardiologist privately because i could not get to see one as face to face consultation on NHS. That was for a different cardiac condition and preliminary 12 lead ECG showed disconnected atrial lead . May have been there for years but why was it not picked up earlier? Since it it is impossible to see cardiologist on NHS person to person, leave aside having a procedure on NHS, I got to have it privately which would be a great cost. Just to give you an idea it would cost me entire 4 months pension. How can make a a case to be done on NHS bearing me in mind this is a consequence of 21 years of negligence and duty of medical care. I have been bringing to their attention that I was not feeling well.

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Medical negligence is hard to prove, but, there's plenty of legal firms that specialise in such cases, on a pay if proven basis. Alternatively, you can make a complaint to the NHS Trust, questioning your treatment.

It may be my ignorance, but, I was under the impression that PMs wouldn't operate for 21 years. I've had mine, coming up 8 years, and my latest check-up, showed approx 2 year battery life remaining. I have just assumed it would be replaced.

Your yearly check-up, is that for the PM specifically, or, a general heart check. Daft question, but, was it connected in the first place, as it's not easy for it to disconnect. I only ask as my Father-in-law, had a PM fitted last summer, but, it took 3 months, before anyone realised it hadn't been connected, and only following his continued dizziness.

My PM was accidently disconnected during OHS, but, not noticed until 2 hrs, before I was due to be discharged. I had to remain in hospital for a further week, until it was sorted.