Delayed and missed psychiatric diagnosis
An independent psychiatric opinion on when a mental disorder should have been recognised, whether the delay fell below the standard of care, and what earlier diagnosis would probably have changed. Free initial screening call and fixed fees with no hidden charges.
- Section 12(2) approved
- Claimant, defendant and SJE
- Structured for CPR Part 35
When the diagnosis came too late
Delayed diagnosis is central to many clinical negligence claims about mental health: missed depression, psychosis, bipolar disorder, PTSD, dementia and delirium, or a psychiatric deterioration that should have been recognised earlier. Dr Pradhan addresses when symptoms first emerged, whether they were identifiable, whether intervention was delayed, and whether a different clinical response would probably have altered the psychiatric outcome.
Chronology is often decisive, so the report sets out the psychiatric timeline in detail against the records: each presentation, what was recorded, what the clinicians did, and what a reasonable psychiatric response would have been at that point.
Dr Pradhan is section 12(2) approved and is regularly appointed as a single joint expert.
What the report covers
Delayed diagnosis reports commonly address:
- Missed or delayed depression and anxiety disorders
- Psychosis and early schizophrenia
- Bipolar disorder misdiagnosed as depression
- PTSD that was not recognised
- Dementia and cognitive decline
- Delirium in hospital
- Psychiatric deterioration in a known condition
- Failure to refer, admit or follow up
- The timeline of presentations against the records
- When a reasonable clinician would have made the diagnosis
- What earlier treatment would probably have achieved
- The harm caused by the delay, and the prognosis now
Send a short chronology of the presentations, the allegations and the relevant dates, and Dr Pradhan will say whether the issues fall within her expertise and, if they do, confirm a fixed fee.
Submit an enquiryThe questions a delay claim turns on
The report deals with each of these, judging the care on the information available at the time:
- When should the diagnosis reasonably have been made, and by whom?
- What treatment would have followed, and when?
- Would the outcome probably have been better, and by how much?
The third question is often the hardest. The report explains what the course of the illness would probably have been with earlier treatment, and the reasons.
Submit an enquiry
Missed in psychiatry, or elsewhere in healthcare
A mental disorder may be missed by psychiatric services, by a GP or in a general hospital. Dr Pradhan gives opinions on the standard of psychiatric care. Where the delay was in primary care or another specialty, the standard is for an expert in that field, and the psychiatric report addresses when the disorder was present, what treatment would have followed and the consequences of the delay.
Many claims need both: an opinion on breach, and an opinion on causation and the harm caused. The report deals with the psychiatric parts of each, and Dr Pradhan will say at the screening stage whether another expert is needed.
Diagnoses commonly missed
- Depression
- Psychosis
- Bipolar disorder
- PTSD
- Dementia
- Delirium
Where delays occur
- Psychiatric assessment
- Crisis services
- GP consultations
- Emergency departments
- General hospital wards
- Follow-up after discharge
Causation and the balance of probabilities
In England and Wales, a claimant in a personal injury claim must show that earlier diagnosis would, on the balance of probabilities, have avoided or reduced the harm. A lost chance of a better outcome is not enough on its own. The report addresses that question directly, with the reasons for the opinion.
For claims in England and Wales the report is structured for CPR Part 35 and Practice Direction 35. Reports for proceedings in Scotland and Northern Ireland are prepared to the requirements of those courts.
The House of Lords held that the loss of a chance of a better outcome is not recoverable in a clinical negligence claim for personal injury. Causation must be proved on the balance of probabilities.
Related pages
Delayed diagnosis questions
If your question is not answered here, call and Dr Pradhan will advise on scope and timescale.
Call 0121 752 6065Bipolar disorder was treated as depression for years. Is that within scope?
Yes. The report addresses when bipolar disorder should reasonably have been recognised, what treatment would have followed and what difference it would probably have made.
Does a late diagnosis affect the time limit?
It can. In England and Wales the three years can run from the date of knowledge: when the claimant knew, or could reasonably have found out, that a significant injury was attributable to the delay. The delayed and missed diagnosis page explains how this works in each jurisdiction.
Can the claimant recover for a lost chance of recovery?
Not in a personal injury claim in England and Wales. Causation must be shown on the balance of probabilities, which is why the report addresses what would probably have happened with earlier treatment.
Is an assessment of the claimant needed?
Usually, for the harm and the prognosis. A breach-only opinion can often be given from the records.
How long does a report take?
It depends on the volume of records and whether an assessment is needed. The timescale is confirmed at the outset.
Instruct Dr Pradhan on a delayed diagnosis claim
Send a short chronology of the presentations, the allegations, the funding route and any limitation or hearing dates.
- Phone0121 752 6065
- Emailinfo@
doctorpradhan.co.uk - Consulting Rooms NationwideAbacus Court, Harborne, Birmingham B17 0HH
Please do not include medical records or a detailed personal history in this form. Dr Pradhan will confirm how to send the papers once the instruction is agreed.
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If the matter is urgent, call 0121 752 6065.