I would certainly use Maxwell Hodge solicitors at some future date. As a family, we have had a difficult couple of years and having Chris and the team for advice and support has helped enormously
News & Clients Say
Archives!
This week, 7th-11th November 2022, is International Stress Awareness Week. In recognition of this, we have prepared this short blog emphasising the importance of managing stress effectively.
WHAT IS STRESS?
In order to develop techniques for managing stress, it is important firstly to understand what stress means. HSE define stress as ‘the adverse reaction people have to excessive pressures or other types of demand placed on them’.
We all face different types of stress both in work and in our personal lives. This is not always negative stress, as positive life changes will often trigger some sort of stress. Examples of this may include moving house, starting a new job or getting married. Stress is therefore a normal part of life and is how our mind and bodies react to different situations. In the legal profession, small amounts of stress and pressure can trigger positive outcomes as it helps us to meet deadlines and targets in such a fast paced environment. However, high amounts of stress and feeling stressed for long periods of time will have a negative impact.
STRESS MANAGEMENT
Stress management refers to the tools, strategies and/or techniques used to reduce stress, which is essential to minimise the negative impact stress has on wellbeing, both mental and physical (Berkley Well-Being Institute).
Various mental, emotional and behavioural strategies can be implemented to manage stress. Examples of some strategies include:
- Having a healthy lifestyle
- Doing regular exercise
- Not being too hard on yourself and celebrating achievements
- Being mindful and remaining positive
- Taking time out and doing things you enjoy
- Getting some rest and having a healthy bedtime routine
- Identifying the causes and triggers of your stress
To effectively manage stress both at work and at home, it is important to recognise your own signs and causes of stress. This is because understanding the triggers will help to develop techniques to reduce the impact stress has in the future, thus making us better prepared. This means we can build resilience, which provides us with the ability to cope with stress and hardship (Very Well Mind).
Mind have different Wellness Action Plans, which you may find useful. You can also check out the Stress Management Society for different ways to manage stress.
Here at Maxwell Hodge, we encourage all staff to talk openly about their mental health and wellbeing whether that be with a friend, a family member or a colleague. It is important to remember that despite what we may be feeling or going through, particularly in our personal lives, there are people around us who want to listen and support us to become the best version of ourselves. Therefore, we also encourage you to access necessary support, and have included some reference links below.
References & Further Reading
- HSE: work-related stress and how to manage it
- Berkley Well-Being Institute: stress management – definition, techniques and strategies
- Mind: managing stress and building resilience
- Very Well Mind: what is resilience?
Every member of staff who dealt with us at Maxwell Hodge were always polite, friendly and very professional. Thank you very much
It was a very difficult time for my mum and myself. Christine handled the LPA, Will and Deed of Variation with a personal touch. Coming out to explain to my mum was such a reassuring thing to do.
The claim is in relation to the treatment the Claimant’s father, now deceased, received whilst he was under the care of the Royal Liverpool University Hospital (RLUH) in the period before his death. The claim was brought by the son.
The Claimant’s father was admitted to RLUH in June 2018 and upon admission, a Falls Risk Assessment was carried out, which noted a number of risks. On 24th June 2018, he was transferred from the Acute Medical Admissions Unit to Ward 8A. His Falls Risk Assessment was not updated on transfer and he was therefore placed in the bed furthest away from the nurse’s station.
The Claimant’s father was assessed by a Urologist, who suggested that he needed a CT scan of the ureter, kidney and bladder. The CT scan showed a (likely) malignant mass in the left bladder wall. During his admission, he was also treated for hospital acquired pneumonia.
On 3rd July 2018, the Claimant’s father suffered a fall and was found on the floor by his bed.
On 9th July 2018, he suffered a second fall at around 10.30pm, when he was found on the floor at the end of the bed. Following a hip x-ray, he was diagnosed with a fracture in the neck of his right femur. A stabiliser was fitted as he was not considered well enough for surgery.
On 12th July 2018, the Claimant’s father was visited by a Healthcare Assistant. The Healthcare Assistant proceeded to remove the stabiliser from his leg and attempted to reposition him and roll him onto his side. Upon attending upon his father, the Claimant informed the Healthcare Assistant of his father’s broken hip to which the Healthcare Assistant advised that she did not know.
Palliative care was commenced on 13th July 2018, following which the Claimant’s father subsequently passed away later that day.
Proceedings were issued in February 2022 on a protective basis against Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Negotiations between the parties resulted in a settlement of the claim in August 2022, prior to the service of proceedings.
Join us on Thursday 24th November, from 9:30am, for our next SIMPLY CASTLE STREET at YogaNation, 75-79 County Road, Walton, Liverpool L4 3QD.
Our events are free, friendly and informal and an ideal opportunity for you to meet new business contacts.
For full details and to book on, visit: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/459043059147
We would recommend booking on early, as places are limited.
Hope to see you there!
We often see the unfortunate results of a Will which either does not reflect what was understood to be the wishes of the testator or one which has not been correctly executed, leaving that Will invalid.
I needed to have a will prepared within a week. Michelle managed to do that for me
I was selling my house and buying a retirement flat after the death of my husband
October 20 /
Litigation
Medical Negligence Claims Arising Out Of Poor Medical Treatment At Care Homes
We would all like to think that all care homes treat their residents with dignity and look after their medical needs with the expertise they deserve, as they owe a duty of care to their residents to do so.
Largely that is true, but what should you do if you or a loved one suffers poor treatment in a care home? You can complain to the care home owners or management, or the Local Council or Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman if the care home is run by the local authority. Sometimes the Care Quality Commission may also get involved. However beyond this and if you feel you or your loved one should be compensated for the poor treatment, then recourse to a legal claim may be your only option.
At Maxwell Hodge, we have dealt with many cases via our Medical Negligence team where that duty of care has been breached. Some examples include residents who have fallen whilst in a care home, and suffered injuries due to not being properly monitored, or others whose health has deteriorated due to poor feeding and dehydration. In some instances, the care home staff have failed to call in a GP or other medical practitioner, due to a failure to recognise the resident needs medical assistance or treatment.
If a care home resident does not have the mental capacity to bring the claim themselves, then another person can bring a legal claim on their behalf as long as they have the relevant legal authority.
Sadly, the person who has been injured may have passed away following that injury or due to deteriorating health, and in such cases the legal claim can be brought by the Personal Representative of the deceased’s person’s estate for the benefit of their estate.
If you would like to discuss any of the above issues further, then please call our
New Enquiry Team to speak with either Joanne Bigley on 0151 548 7370,
or Julie Sowery on 0151 625 9154.
