Simon Helliwell, a senior Chartered Legal Executive within our Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence Team, had been instructed last year in relation to a number of cases involving a Leeds GP surgery which, following a routine inspection by the Care Quality Commission, was found to have stored vaccines at an incorrect temperature – for up to 18 months.

Simon has now been approached by worried parents of young children who were vaccinated at the Prospect GP Surgery in Ossett. It is understood that vaccines were stored incorrectly for more than 7 months between Monday, December 4, 2017 and Friday, July 27, 2018.

The letter to parents from Prospect Surgery stated

While being given a vaccine stored at the wrong temperature is not harmful we cannot be sure that all children vaccinated at the surgery between the above dates are adequately protected against the diseases for which they were vaccinated. All vaccines which were stored at the incorrect temperature have been replaced and new fridges and fridge temperature monitors have been purchased.

All of those affected will be contacted via post. A spokesperson for NHS England confirmed investigations are ongoing to establish how many vaccinated was affected.

We can confirm after a routine check at the Prospect Road Surgery in Ossett it was discovered that a batch of vaccinations were not stored at the correct temperature. We cannot be sure that vaccine stored at the incorrect temperature has given the patient the required protection against the condition for which they are being vaccinated, therefore, as a precaution we will be writing to all patients affected to invite them to be re-vaccinated.

Simon Helliwell, who has over 20 years’ experience in Personal Injury work, stated “Unfortunately, this is not the first time I have come across this problem. I have dealt with a number of identical cases in the past involving a GP surgeries in West and South Yorkshire.

Incidents across the country show that correctly storing vaccinations remains an issue and patients who believe they have been immunised may, in reality, remain unprotected.

Not only is this a cause for major concern but in some cases can be life-threatening. This has to be a most worrying time for parents of very young children.”

Although Clinical Negligence matters are rare, we at Ison Harrison are recognised on a national basis. We work with many clients to make a difference in what can be a distressing and challenging time.

If you have been affected by this or any other personal injury matter and require advice, please do not hesitate to contact Simon Helliwell and his team on 0113 284 5000 or alternatively email simon.helliwell@isonharrison.co.uk

Free Legal Clinics

We are running a series of free legal clinics for a few weeks at the Ossett War Memorial Community Centre. You can pop in and ask one of our legal experts about any matter you’d like to discuss and we’ll be happy to help. No appointment is necessary – all general enquiries welcome.

Dates are:

Friday 19th October – 9am – 12pm
Friday 26th October –  9am – 12pm
Friday 2nd November –  9am – 12pm
Friday 9th November – 9am – 12pm

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