Woman’s cancer diagnosis missed by trust

A Middleton-on-Sea woman is calling for lessons to be learned after Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust admitted a threeyeardelayindiagnosingherwith terminal lung cancer.

Noreen Wileman, 68, was diagnosed with lung cancer in December 2018.

After complaining to her GP of aching and painful muscles andjointsandcoughingupblood, she underwent a CT scan at St Richard’s Hospital in Chichester in May 2015, the result of which showed irregularities.

However, no follow up scan was ordered. At an outpatient appointment in July 2015 to discusstheresultsofherCTscan, she was told the nature of the changestoherlungswasunclear.

Blood tests were ordered but despite the abnormalities on the scan, no further scans or follow up was arranged, and no further action was taken.

Her symptoms continued to deteriorate and she and her GP contacted the hospital for a follow-up but it was not forthcoming.

Following investigations and scanning in November 2018 doctors suspected she had lung cancer, which was diagnosed as stage four lung cancer.

Following her diagnosis, Noreen instructed expert medical negligence lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate her care under Western Sussex HospitalsNHSFoundationTrust, responsible for St Richard’s Hospital.

The Trust admitted liability. It acknowledged if further follow-up CT scans had been arranged in 2015, on the balance of probabilities, Noreen’s cancer would have been diagnosed by January 2016, some 35 months before it was.

With an earlier diagnosis, Noreen would also have avoided a significant reduction in her life expectancy, the Trust admitted.

Medical director Dr Tim Taylor apologised to Noreen, adding: “The care we provided in 2015 fell short of our usual high standards and we deeply regret the delay to her diagnosis.

“Weareallextremelysorryfor the impact this has had on Mrs Wileman and her family.

“Wehopetheearlyadmission of liability means their claim can now be swiftly resolved to help ease their pain at this difficult time.”

Following her diagnosis Noreen underwent chemotherapyandradiotherapy but doctors advised that her condition was incurable. She said:“I’mnotsurewhatthefuture will hold for me and my family but I just hope that by speaking out I can help others.

“People need to see a doctor as soon as possible if they think there’s something wrong with them, ensure they receive their results, and if needs be, don’t take no for an answer and seek a second opinion.”