New review confirms poor interstitial lung disease care at Epsom and St Helier Hospitals Trust

A new independent review by the Royal College of Physicians has found evidence of severe clinical harm in multiple cases, including three patients who did not receive potentially life-extending treatment.  In this article we will share: 

• Why the investigation took place 
• What the independent review revealed 
• What this means for a group action against the trust 
• What to do if you think you’ve been impacted 

Why was there an investigation?

An internal review by the Epsom and St Helier Hospitals Trust previously found that 216 patients received poor or incorrect interstitial lung disease (ILD) care, and 91 patients died as a result.  The Trust’s investigation linked these failures to the actions of a single respiratory consultant, Dr Veronica Varney. 

The Trust then asked the Royal College of Physicians to perform an independent review of the care provided by Dr Veronica Varney between 2019 and 2022. The RCP examined 30 patient cases to assess: 

• Whether diagnoses and treatments followed national guidance 
• Whether cases were reviewed by specialist teams 
• Whether patients may have come to harm 
• Whether the Trust missed opportunities to act on concerns raised 

What has this review found?

The independent review of the Royal College of Physicians  found failings that keep appearing across cases:  

• Delays in diagnosis and treatment 
• Wrong or missed diagnoses 
• Important tests not being carried out 
• Patients being given the wrong treatment or not getting the treatment they needed 
• Cases not being checked by a team of specialist doctors 
• Patients not being monitored properly after diagnosis 
• Poor communication and record-keeping 
• Patients not being referred to specialist services when needed 
• National medical guidelines not being followed 
• Poor management and oversight of the service 
• Problems not being spotted or dealt with quickly 

The review found that these problems happened again and again, rather than being one-off mistakes. It said that many patients did not receive the standard of care they should have expected.  The report also says changes are needed to improve patient safety and make sure care follows national guidance. This should help prevent it happening to other patients in future. 

What does this mean for the group action?

The findings of the Royal College of Physicians review add to the evidence about the care some patients received. While every person’s experience is different, the review found repeated problems that could support claims from those who believe they or a loved one were affected by poor ILD care.

The report also highlights that many of the same issues appeared in more than one patient’s case. This can help build a clearer picture of how the service was run during this time.

While the review can support cases, it does not define whether someone is entitled to compensation. Each person’s circumstances are unique. Any legal claim will depend on what happened in your case and whether you suffered avoidable harm as a result of your care.

What to do if you think you’ve been impacted  

If you or a family member received treatment for interstitial lung disease at Epsom and St Helier Hospitals between 2019 and 2022, and you are worried about the care you received, you may be able to join the group action. Speak to our team and we’ll tell you if you could have a claim and what your options are.

Here for you in the moments that matter 

Our group action can tell you whether you have a claim and what happens next. We understand that concerns about medical care can be deeply upsetting, especially when they affect you or someone you care about. 

We’ll listen to your experience and help you understand what steps you can take next. If you believe you or a loved one may have been affected by the issues identified in the ILD review, our team is here to provide the guidance and support you need. Speak to our team today.