Delayed Diagnosis for Cancer Patients

The time between visiting a GP and a potential cancer diagnosis can be a tense and emotional time. A prompt diagnosis, not only helps to reassure patients that they’re in good hands, it also improves their chances of catching the disease early and beating the disease.

In the last couple of years, we’ve seen that the NHS staff carrying out the scans, procedures, and lab tests involved in diagnosis are struggling to keep up with demand The number of cases is growing in the UK, highlight how serious illnesses can be missed at initial assessments, something which is very worrying with life-threatening conditions.

A recent case that is currently ongoing with Williamsons, is an example of this this growing issue. The Claimant started to have night sweats and noted that she had weight-loss. She also had abdominal pain.

On the Claimant’s initial visit to the GP, she was diagnosed with a possible urine infection and was prescribed antibiotics. The Claimant visited the GP around 4-5 times due to ongoing symptoms. Throughout the visits, she was diagnosed with further possible urine/bladder infections, kidney infections and a pulled muscle. On the last visit to the GP, the Claimant had serious concerns regarding her symptoms and advised the GP that she knew her own body and felt that something was wrong. The GP referred her for a scan the same day.

The Claimant was admitted to Hospital to have a scan and was diagnosed with a cyst on her bowel.  Following the diagnosis of the cyst, the Claimant was discharged home. She was not given any further information regarding the cyst and she was not advised how it was going to be treated or if it was going to disappear on its own accord. The Claimant assumed it was nothing serious and carried on as normal. No further tests were offered to the Claimant at this point.

For the next 7 months, the Claimant was back-and-forth to the GP and was treated twice for a urine infection, once for a pulled muscle and there was also a discussion that she may be suffering from IBS. On each occasion she visited the GP, there was no mentioned of the cyst on her bowel. The Claimant was eventually referred back to Hospital for a further scan.

A month after the referral, the Claimant was advised she had cancer. She was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkinson Lymphoma which was aggressive. The Consultant advised that he was instigating an internal investigation, as to why the cancer was not picked up the previous year, during her initial scan and proceeded to apologised to the Claimant for the error.

Lisa Jackson, Paralegal in the Clinical Negligence Department has recognised a growing number of these types of claims, and works alongside Mr Wayne Walker, Solicitor, who has previously investigated and settled other claims of this nature.

At Williamsons Solicitors we have the skills, knowledge and staff to help you win your clinical negligence case. Our specialist Clinical Negligence Department has more than 35 years’ combined experience in the field and we are recognised by top industry bodies including Action Against Medical Accidents (AvMA) and The Law Society.

If you have been affected by a case similar to this, please contact Lisa Jackson, Paralegal, on 01482 323697.