Port Talbot Granddad Who Had Leg Amputated Five Years After Doctors Failed To Refer Him For Further Tests Calls For Lessons To Be Learned

• Wales Health Board Admits Aberavon Man Wouldn’t Have Lost Leg If He’d Been Referred And Offered Further Treatment

• Medical Negligence Lawyers Secure Payment To Help Fund Dad’s Ongoing Care And Rehabilitation

• Man Determined On Regaining More Independence Joins Legal Team In Supporting Major Awareness Campaign

A man is calling for lessons to be learned after having a leg amputated more than five years after medics failed to refer him for further tests. 

Len Bruno, 71, was referred to Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend after he visited a GP complaining of pain in his right big toe and that his right foot was turning black.

He had an aneurysm behind both knee joints but was told by doctors that he probably had a small clot in his right leg that had resolved itself.

Over the coming years Len, of Aberavon, Port Talbot, developed pain, including cramps, in his left leg. He was again referred by a GP to hospital for further tests. Medics suspected he had a knee aneurysm. Tests confirmed he had aneurysm measuring 3.6cm and 3.4cm behind his left and right knee respectively, which were restricting blood flow.

A treatment plan was due to be drawn up. However, Len, a former steeplejack, continued to experience pain. Around two months after the aneurysms were confirmed he attended hospital again. Surgeons said his left leg was unsalvageable because of reduced blood flow.

He underwent an above the knee amputation of his left leg followed by surgery to repair the right aneurysm. Len spent more than three months in hospital.

Following his ordeal, the dad-of-one and granddad-of-four, instructed expert medical negligence lawyers to investigate his care under Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board which runs Princess of Wales Hospital.

The Board admitted liability. It admitted that a knee aneurysm should have been considered during Len’s initial appointment five years before they were diagnosed. If so, Len would have undergone further tests and would have been offered treatment which would have avoided his amputation.

Irwin Mitchell has secured an interim payment to help fund Len’s ongoing care and rehabilitation needs. The legal experts and Health Board are working towards a final settlement which will ensure Len has access to the lifetime support he requires. 

Len has now joined his legal team at Irwin Mitchell in supporting Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month to speak for the first time about the impact of his injuries and determination to regain more of his independence.

Elise Burvill, the specialist medical negligence lawyer at Irwin Mitchell’s Cardiff office representing Len, said: “The last few years and coming to terms with the avoidable and life-changing consequences of Len’s care have understandably been extremely difficult for him and his family.

“What happened to Len vividly highlights the repercussions of what can happen when patient care falls below expected standards.

“While nothing can make up for what’s happened, we welcome the Health Board’s admission. We’re pleased to have secured Len vital funds that will help with his ongoing care and rehabilitation to regain more of his independence as possible.

“Len hopes that by sharing his story he can help improve patient care. It’s vital that lessons are learned so others don’t have to endure what he has.

“We join Len in supporting Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month, an important campaign to highlight not only how people can be affected by such issues but also recognise help and support is available.”

Len was referred to Princess of Wales Hospital in July 2012. After an appointment the following month he was discharged from the Health Board’s care.

However, he continued to experience pain and discomfort. In March 2017 he started experiencing pain and cramp after a few minutes of walking. He was again referred to hospital. He was seen by the vascular team that September. Aneurysms behind his knees were confirmed in November 2017 and a treatment plan was to be drawn up.

Len continued to suffer with pain and swelling in his left calf. He attended hospital twice more. On the second visit in February 2018, he was admitted. Doctors amputated his left leg on 5 February. Len underwent surgery on his right knee aneurysm 11 days later.

He was discharged from hospital on 24 May, 2018.

Before his amputation Len enjoyed running on the beach and would go the gym several times a week. He enjoyed walking and taking photographs.

While he now has a prosthetic leg fitted it’s not specifically designed for his body so he struggles to walk long distances or on uneven ground.

As part of his recovery Irwin Mitchell has appointed a support and rehabilitation co-ordinator to help Len access ongoing therapies as well as support from charities and other organisations.

He has started attending sessions with Port Talbot-based walking Marauders Men’s Health which Len says has improve his mental health by having people he can talk to. 

He is also due to undergo private assessment for a specially designed prosthesis which will help him get back running, walking further and taking photos.

Len said: “Before all this I was extremely active. I’d always be out and about. I’d walk for hours, loved running and going to the gym. However, all that changed.

“I knew something wasn’t right but when I visited hospital the doctors never gave me the impression there was anything to be worried about. I had no reason to dispute what they were saying.

“It was only in 2017 that things started to develop. Despite this nothing prepared me for the news that my leg would have to be amputated.

“Following surgery there was a lot of time when I was by myself when it was difficult not to think about what happened and how my life was never going to be the same.

“Coming to terms with this while having concerns about my care was difficult and there were some hard times. Once back home I was initially faced with a situation I didn’t know how to deal with. I wanted to join a support group but I couldn’t find any and struggled to know what to do.”

Len added: ““I’ll always be upset by what’s happened to me and how it shouldn’t have happened but I can’t turn the clock back. My focus is now on looking to the future. My family have been amazing and done so much for me to help the best they can but the specialist support team I now have round me have been unbelievable.

“They’ve put me in touch with the walking club. While I still struggle and can’t walk far or on uneven ground, getting out and about once more has really helped both physically and mentally. I’m now setting myself goals and ambitions. I know I have a long way to go but being able to get prostheses personally designed for me will mean so much. It will mean I can start trying to run again, get out more and regain more of my old life.

“I just hope that by speaking out others in a similar situation don’t feel they have to go through it alone. There’s a lot of support out there.”

Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Months runs throughout April and aims to highlight the impact of such conditions and how those affected are rebuilding their independence. The charity Steel Bones supports amputees and their families. For more information visit www.steelbone.co.uk