Clinical negligence due to misdiagnosis causing an 18th month delay in being treated.

Hi again Motherdearest. I’ve been on the forum for over four years and I can recall a few posting about suing for negligence, but as I posted before I have a friend that died as a result. Her family talked of suing in the immediate aftermath but I’m not sure they took it any further.

If you put negligence in the search function at the top of the page there are a few posts 

There are law firms that specialise in this so that’s the obvious next step. I hope you find the answer. Best wishes 

Hi

My friend was diagnosed a couple of months before me. By the time i'd had all my scans, appointments and started treatment he'd had nothing. 

He had stomach cancer years ago, so you'd have thought they would have got on and sorted it because of his previous history with cancer.

It wasn't untill he kicked off that they finally started to do scans, by this time the cancerous lump had attached it'self to his pelvis.

He is taking action, he isn't going to accept a pay out if he's offered one as he's not doing it for the money. He's doing it because they didn't do their job properly and need 'reprimanding ' for it.

Cat

A delay in diagnosis and treatment can have serious repercussions, and you’re right—it’s not really about suing the NHS but holding the system accountable for the harm caused. From what you’ve described, it might be worth speaking with professionals who have experience in cases like these to understand your options.

I’m not sure whether the OP has been back to visit us since she first posted. I hope she had some resolution since then. 

Tonsil cancer HPV16 plus ...I was misdiagnosed twice ... made to feel a bit like a hypochondriac.... nearly 2 years  later a more competent GP recognised the symptoms and  referred me to ENT...I was unhappy with the delay and possibility of spread.... brought the issue up with medics but got no support.... they closed ranks....circled the wagons

Peter 

Peter E said:

Tonsil cancer HPV16 plus ...I was misdiagnosed twice ...

Can you remind us how you were eventually referred then diagnosed ? It would be really useful if you could put a potted history in your profile too

I realise this is an old post resurrected but thought I'd add to it in case others were thinking of it. 

I was misdiagnosed for 8 yrs, told menopause and it was thyroid cancer! By time of diagnosis it had spread to lymph nodes. 18 months post op, I'm still in alot of pain and fatigued. Had to reduce work hours so financially much worse off. Therefore decided to look into medical negligence claim. 

Spoke to a specialist solicitor who looked at my GP notes. They told me unless it's a really strong case they won't take it on (because they're unlikely to win and get fee I presume?) The GPs are well protected legally and you have to show they were clearly neglectful. In my case it was a rare variant of thyroid cancer and the solicitor thought that would make it even harder to prove negligence.

So I didn't pursue it. What I will do though is write a complaint to my GP practice so this hopefully reduces the chance of it happening to someone else. Some form of education needs to happen in these situations, otherwise no one is accountable and that troubles me. Interestingly this also gave me a form of closure as I was constantly wondering if I should sue and now it's not an option and I just need to move on.

Anyway sorry long post but thought I'd say what was on my mind while the post is back up.

Peter E said:

Some months later a lump appeared in my neck

That’s terrible. An enlarged lymph node is classic presentation of oropharyngeal cancer. The trouble is that the older GPs are familiar with this cancer occuring in older smoker/drinkers but HPV has changed all that. The younger GPs are more familiar 

TONSIL CANCER SIGNS....Asymmetrical tonsils: One tonsil may be larger than the other. ..,. Google ...sadly I did succumb to temptation....desperate at that time

I had been concerned about the possibility of tonsil cancer....reassured by two GPs that there was nothing sinister going on