The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Solicitor says relative of NHS founder died after ‘mistake’ by two trusts
A relative of the founder of the NHS died after a “lifethreatening mistake” made by two NHS trusts.
Roderick Bevan, the greatnephew of Nye Bevan, died last year after being “let down” by two Midlands-based trusts that failed to notify him about a lung tumour, the family’s solicitor said.
Lincolnshire coroner Paul Smith concluded Mr Bevan, of Grantham, Lincolnshire, died of natural causes contributed to by neglect at Boston Coroner’s Court in May.
The inquest findings said the retired caretaker could have survived had he received radiotherapy.
His inquest heard how the tumour was identified during a PET scan at Boston Pilgrim Hospital in October 2016.
Despite further appointments, medical professionals at Pilgrim Hospital and University Hospitals of Leicester Trust, which later took over his care, did not tell Mr Bevan he had lung cancer until January 2018.
The 66-year-old’s daughter, Paula, said: “I feel that my dad was totally let down by the NHS, whose founder was Nye (Aneurin) Bevan who, as the name suggests, my dad was related to.”
Senior associate solicitor at JMP Solicitors, Christine Bowerman, who advised Ms Bevan about her father’s case, said: “The finding that death was by natural causes contributed to by neglect was the best that we could have hoped for from an inquest and it did reflect that Mr Bevan’s death could certainly have been avoided.”
Dr Neill Hepburn, medical director at United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “We accept that there were opportunities for us to communicate more effectively with Mr Bevan, and have carried out a full investigation into the circumstances of his death. We have learned from this and have reviewed our practices and procedures.”
Andrew Furlong, medical director at Leicester’s Hospitals, said: “At the time, we carried out a serious incident review, involving his family, to help us understand exactly what happened and learn lessons.
“Since our review we have made significant improvements to prevent this happening again.”