A father of nine has spoken out after a devastating misdiagnosis at an NHS hospital led to the amputation of his leg, resulting in a six-figure payout. Ron Bigwood, 69, from Chelmsford, Essex, first visited his GP in September 2014 complaining of severe pain in his right calf. He was referred to NHS Broomfield Hospital, but subsequent appointments led to a serious misdiagnosis and months of treatment that were destined to fail, ultimately costing him his right leg below the knee.
The Misdiagnosis
In November 2014, Ron was diagnosed with a serious circulation condition, despite having no rest pain or tissue loss. A CT scan later revealed a blood clot, which his lawyers from Irwin Mitchell argued should have been treated with medication rather than surgery. In February 2015, he underwent an angioplasty to widen narrowed arteries, a procedure they deemed unnecessary and inappropriate for treating a clot. His condition worsened rapidly, and by April he was in severe pain with tissue damage to his foot. A scan on 27 April confirmed serious blockages.
The Amputation
Two days later, Ron underwent a 10-hour vascular operation, but it failed. On 1 June 2015, his right leg was amputated below the knee. The Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust later admitted a series of failures, including misdiagnosis, inappropriate angioplasty, inadequate consent processes, and negligent surgical management, all of which led to the avoidable amputation.
Life After Amputation
Ron, once active and independent, now faces daily challenges with basic tasks like climbing stairs and carrying shopping. He uses a prosthetic leg but suffers from burning stump pain, phantom limb pain, and swelling that worsens with walking. His home is not suited to his needs, making even nighttime trips to the bathroom feel unsafe. He relies heavily on his children for transport, shopping, and support around the house, and misses his independence.
Determined to rebuild his life, Ron has made significant progress, going from struggling with short distances indoors to regularly walking about 1,200 yards to his local supermarket using a stick or trolley. He is also considering a mobility scooter for longer outings. His long-term goal is to regain as much independence as possible and move to a home that meets his needs. Despite the challenges, he finds motivation in his family: “It may seem odd but one positive to come out of everything is that it’s brought the family closer together. My children and grandchildren are my greatest motivation to keep going.”
Ron has applied for a provisional driving licence to become more independent and visit his family more often. He also continues his passion for pigeon racing, travelling abroad occasionally to help grade racing pigeons. “It isn’t easy with a prosthetic leg, but it gives me a sense of normality and keeps me connected to a community I care about.”
The Payout and Awareness
Irwin Mitchell secured substantial six-figure interim payments to fund rehabilitation, prosthetic care, and home adaptations. With April being Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month, Ron hopes his story highlights the impact of misdiagnosis and the importance of learning from mistakes to protect future patients.
Louise Forsyth, the medical negligence lawyer representing Ron, said: “Ron’s injury has had a devastating and permanent impact on his life. What has made this even harder is knowing that, had he received the correct diagnosis, his amputation could have been avoided. While nothing can undo what Ron has been through, we’re pleased to have secured payments that mean he can now access the specialist rehabilitation, prosthetic support and home adaptations he needs. Ron’s story is a stark reminder of the life-changing consequences patients can face when issues arise in vascular care.”
