A dad-of-three who won more than £500,000 in compensation after doctors missed a serious injury is calling for a public inquiry into his case.
Darren Conquer, 47, from Tranent, East Lothian, is demanding answers over mistakes in his treatment.
He was hurt in a freak football accident in July 2003 but the extent of his injury, a biceps tendon rupture, was not admitted until years later, which meant it could not be fully repaired and has left him in agony.
He was awarded damages because a judge ruled Edinburgh Royal Infirmary should have given him an MRI scan earlier, which would have shown the injury.
The former plumber also claims he made the Scottish Government aware of the problem 13 years ago but said the doctors who missed his injury were allowed to work unchallenged until leaving their jobs in 2014.
Darren said: “I first wrote to Nicola Sturgeon in 2006 and have been writing regularly ever since but nothing was done and the Government said they could not make any comment because of the court case.
“In 16 years, no one has ever apologised.”
Darren was speaking after a court hearing last week awarded all expenses in the case to him, with the exception of his own legal costs in bringing the proof hearing. He expects these could run to more than £100,000.
Andrew Smith QC, representing Darren, said neither he nor Darren’s solicitors had been charging him fees. He added: “The reality is he can’t afford to pay.”
Darren was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary after hurting his arm while playing in goal at a football match.
Despite an initial concern of a suspected bicep tendon rupture, it took another 16 years before Lothian Health Board accepted liability for his pain and admitted this had been the case.
MSP Miles Briggs, Shadow Health Secretary, said: “This case has highlighted a number of significant and disturbing concerns surrounding the reporting and transparency of medical cases where litigation is taking place.
“What is important is that SNP Ministers take the concerns surrounding this case seriously, especially given that Mr Conquer highlighted his concerns to Nicola Sturgeon as far back as 2006 at the time when she was Health Secretary.”
Dr Tracey Gillies, medical director of NHS Lothian, said: “NHS Lothian is very sorry that this has been a long and stressful process for Mr Conquer. We have complied with the request and the timelines of the court at every stage.
“We also apologise for failings in 2003 and would stress that lessons are always learned to improve processes when care does not meet expected standards.”
