‘I worry I will die’ Doctors missed chances to spot cancer
When James Walsh went to A&E with chest pain and a bad cough in 2013, he feared that something was seriously wrong. But although an X-ray revealed a suspicious area in his lungs, administrative errors meant he was not given a CT scan.
He went back to A&E three years later when his pain and breathlessness worsened. An X-ray again showed possible problems, but doctors chose not to follow up with a CT scan and a further X-ray did not happen. A year later, in March 2017, he was admitted to hospital and finally received a CT scan, which showed he had advanced lung cancer. Mr Walsh, who has a wife and three children, had surgery to remove a large part of his right lung and lymph nodes, as well as four rounds of chemotherapy,
The NHS trust has admitted that, even had he been diagnosed properly as late as 2016, he might have been cured. Now his cancer is highly likely to return, but Mr Walsh, from Alvaston, Derbs, has chosen not to find out his prognosis, partly because he feels he can no longer trust what doctors tell him.
“I wake up every day worried I could die,” he said. “I have lost my trust in doctors. I’m frightened every symptom is ... the cancer coming back.
He decided to claim damages because he needed financial help now he is off work. The full case is still under consideration, but University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust has admitted liability for failing to follow up his 2016 attendance.
Dr Magnus Harrison, executive medical director, said the trust had apologised for mistakes that “fell below the high standards we strive for”. He added: “We have made improvements ... and have reviewed the referral process to avoid a similar administrative mistake happening.”