Our client’s wife was successfully treated for breast cancer several years ago, but she later developed a lump in her neck. This was diagnosed as a radiation-induced sarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer. Tragically, despite recommendations made by the multi-disciplinary team (MDT), our client’s wife was lost to follow-up due to administrative failures within the NHS Trust. This delay resulted in her suffering unnecessarily before she ultimately passed away from the cancer.
Negligence Identified
A Serious Incident Report, conducted by the Defendant NHS Trust, revealed that the root cause of this failure was a lack of clarity surrounding the referral pathway. It was admitted within the claim that there was a negligent failure to follow up on the MDT’s recommendations. This delay caused our client’s wife to experience far more suffering than if she had been followed up appropriately and treated sooner.
Expert Opinion
Our ENT expert supported this conclusion, confirming that the delay in treatment was negligent. However, our expert oncologist determined that, unfortunately, the cancer itself was so aggressive that our client’s wife would have passed away at the same time, regardless of earlier intervention.
Aims of the Claim
The claim was not pursued for financial gain, but to raise awareness of the dangers of administrative oversights within the healthcare system. Our client’s goal was to prevent similar incidents from occurring and ensure that other patients are not lost in the system.
We Can Help
If you or a loved one has experienced similar treatment delays, contact our Clinical Negligence team to discuss your case. We are here to help you seek justice and ensure accountability in patient care. Call us on 01244 312306 or complete our Contact Form and we’ll get in touch with you.
