Anguish of gran who’s had ‘nine cancer check-ups cancelled’
A GRAN says she has been hit with ‘nine cancelled appointments’ since being diagnosed with cancer in 2017.
Andrea Hartley, 72, says she should have check-ups twice a year on her treatment plan, but claims she ‘has not been seen by her consultant since 2019.’
Andrea, a retired baker, was suffering from bowel cancer until she had ‘lifesaving surgery’ at North Manchester General Hospital in 2017.
Treatment went smoothly for two years, but since then the gran-of-four, from Radcliffe, says her check-ups have been repeatedly postponed.
Andrea, who has a pile of letters from the NHS and various Greater Manchester hospitals to cancel and reschedule her appointments, says she lodged a formal complaint, which resulted in a scan taking place earlier this year. But since the scan on March 7, she says she still has not received the results.
Andrea said: “2019 is the last time I was seen by my consultant, and I’m supposed to be having two check-ups a year.
“I understand that the pandemic delayed things, but from then, right up until now I’ve had appointment after appointment cancelled. I’ve had nine cancelled appointments for various reasons – most recently because of the IT system issues at the hospitals.”
Andrea, a mum-of-four, said: “I’m being pushed from pillar to post. I know I’m not on my own with it, there will be others who are dealing with this in a more serious condition. What’s happening to them? No one seems to care, I could be dead for all they know. I’m not trying to cause trouble, I know there’s been a pandemic – but my children say ‘are you all right, mum?’ and I just don’t know.”
After the M.E.N. approached Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, which organises Andrea’s care, bosses said the clinical team contacted her.
Dr Vicki Howarth, medical director at Bury Care Organisation said: “We would like to apologise to Andrea and her family for any inconvenience caused.
“We always strive to keep our appointments and where they have to be cancelled, we aim to reschedule them as soon as possible.
“We have been in regular contact with Andrea and her care has been reviewed each year, and we can confirm that a senior member of her clinical team spoke with her yesterday, and if any tests and further appointments are required, they will be arranged without delay.”