November deadline for former patients of RCHT Consultant Rob Jones

Cornwall based solicitor Rachel Heelis is alerting women in her local community of the deadline announced for former patients of former consultant gynaecologist and obstetrician Rob Jones, if they wish to pursue a claim as part of a group action.

More than 160 women have now signed up to be part of the group action against the trust in relation to the former consultant, who practised at the Trust between 1992 and 2012.

A protocol has been agreed to simplify the process for women who believe they have a claim. The protocol allows an independent assessment of the standard of medical treatment provided by Mr Jones to individual patients. It is available at no cost to any patient he treated throughout the 20-year period he worked for RCHT. If his treatment is found not to have reached the required standard and to have caused injury, then compensation will be paid.

The protocol process is free to join for anyone affected. But claims must be registered before 1 November 2015, when the group officially closes.

In May 2012, Mr Jones was suspended from his work following a report from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. In late 2012, Mr Jones retired and, at that time his name was removed from the GMC register. Mr Jones was an obstetrician who managed pregnancies and deliveries as well as treating women with other gynaecological conditions and complaints. He also performed surgery.

Rachel commented “We know that Mr Jones treated many hundreds of women during his time at RCHT, both at Treliske and at outpatient clinics at St Austell’s Penrice Hospital. We’re here to offer advice and support. Fortunately, support groups and solicitors are working together to guide former patients who may have worries about the treatment and care they received but are nervous about discussing it”.

Call Rachel Heelis on 01326 317472 or Julie Say on 020 7874 8471.