People will die.. it’s a national disgrace
ONE mum told how she didn’t get to see a doctor during lockdown after suffering problems swallowing – but was actually suffering from terminal cancer.
Jackie Johnson, 50, has stage four cancer of the oesophagus and has been told by medics there is no hope for her.
But when she tried to see a doctor at the start of her symptoms she couldn’t get an appointment – and was told by a nurse she had a simple case of acid reflux.
Since lockdown, Jackie has had to endure delay after delay in her diagnosis and treatment.
Despite Scottish Government assurances the NHS was open, she claims all doors were closed to her at her local GPs.
When she developed eating and swallowing problems in March, she tried to see a doctor but only got to see a nurse who, without examining her, told her she had acid reflux and diagnosed antacids.
On two further occasions she had telephone appointments with her GP but not once had anyone even looked down her throat. In desperation, she called a fourth time and asked for a referral for an endoscopy.
Eight weeks later – two weeks later than the national standard – her condition steadily worsened.
Now she has been told her condition is terminal.
Last night, Jackie, from Kirkcaldy, said: “It seems Covid lives matter butt nobody else does. es.
“I understand howw serious Covidvid is but everythingerything is aboutout that. If I had d been looked at when I asked for help, my life could have been so different.
“People will die because of this. The whole thing is a national disgrace.
“I think the NHS is broken but it is not all due to the pandemic. There were cracks in the system before that.”
Jackie is determined, against the odds, to beat her cancer and has started fundraising for private treatment from a cancer specialist in London who believes he may be able to offer “curative treatment”.
To donate to Jackie’s treatment, go to www. gofundme.com/f/vau86gnot-ready-yto-die-yyet