A POLICE officer injured in a freak accident while on duty has launched a legal bid against a Hampshire hospital where he claims failures forced him to have his leg amputated.

PC Miles Wilson, 37, was responding to a 999 call when he tripped over a small piece of fence and injured his knee.

He was taken to Southampton General Hospital but became seriously ill and after his condition rapidly deteriorated – his right leg was amputated.

Solicitors representing PC Wilson say they will sue for compensation from Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust, blaming delays in his treatment for their client losing his leg.

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Their claims include how PC Wilson:
■ Was allegedly told by a doctor that his injury was “nasty” but said he was unable to diagnose further
■ Was said to have been left in agony for three days without a diagnosis or update on his injury
■ Was told he couldn’t have a vital MRI scan for five days because of backlog
■ Lost movement in his feet and staff didn’t treat him, and instead are said to have rubbed them.

PC Wilson’s solicitors, Russell Jones & Walker based in London, say he went on to develop an infection and high temperature, suffering hallucinations and sickness.

When he reported the stiffness in his toes, medics didn’t treat him, they claim.

Six days after the accident, in November, PC Wilson was seen by a new doctor who was said to have been immediately concerned and organised an urgent MRI scan within an hour.

It revealed a blocked artery behind his knee which was preventing blood from flowing into his leg.

Urgent surgery was recommended, but allegedly delayed by other medical staff who said a theatre was not available to carry out the operation. PC Wilson’s solicitors say they have since established there was in fact an emergency operating room that could have been used.

The following day PC Wilson underwent the surgery, having been told there was “a possibility”

of amputation. When he came round, he found his right leg had been amputated above the knee.

The solicitor claims that following the operation a new doctor conducting rounds “burst into tears” when he saw what had happened to PC Wilson, “expressing disbelief” and saying he “should have gone into surgery sooner”.

They allege that the surgeon who carried out the operation later admitted that “mistakes had been made” when tackled by PC Wilson about the delays in treatment.

Paul Sankey, a partner at Russell Jones & Walker, said: “For a young man to lose a leg is devastating but to know that the loss could have been avoided by proper care is worse.

“The delays were unacceptable and we will be seeking compensation.”

Nothing is easy for me now

STRUGGLING to come to terms with what has happened, PC Wilson has broken his silence to tell of the life-changing ordeal.

He said: “I am in a lot of pain and get regular attacks of phantom limb pain. I would describe this as an electric pain where I feel my foot should be.

“I am trying to stay positive, however I am finding things incredibly frustrating. Doing ordinary daily things is difficult, everything takes a long time.

Nothing is easy any more. It is very hard to think that the need for amputation might have been avoided.

Hospital Statement

HOSPITAL bosses say an internal review into the care of PC Wilson is still ongoing, three months later.

Dr Michael Marsh, medical director at Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “This has been a personal tragedy for Mr Wilson and his family and we extend our deepest sympathy. An internal review of his care was launched immediately and while this is still ongoing we have now shared our initial findings with the family.

“We have been open and honest with Mr Wilson throughout our investigation and are committed to ensuring that the process is completed as swiftly as possible.”