Woman wins large payout after terminal cancer misdiagnosed as hayfever

A retired social worker has won a large payout after her terminal breast cancer was misdiagnosed as hayfever by her local hospital.

The 64-year-old who does not want to be named is said to have suffered a ‘litany of medical negligence errors’ by her local NHS trust.

The Newcastle woman, who was initially diagnosed with breast cancer, experienced a series of medical errors, including delayed or missed treatments, which resulted in the belated diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer after the cancer had spread to her lungs.

In 2005, the woman was diagnosed with breast cancer at North Tyneside General Hospital in North Shields. A year later, she was put on a course of Tamoxifen as part of her treatment programme, however, according to her lawyers, this treatment was ended earlier than NICE guidelines stipulate.

Furthermore, her menopausal levels were not checked, and she wasn’t prescribed a hormone inhibitor, which should have been standard procedure for her condition.

The 64-year-old went to her GP in 2017 with breathing issues, but her concerns were dismissed, and she was misdiagnosed with hayfever. But later that year, a chest X-ray showed shadowing but staff at Hexham Hospital failed to follow it up.

By 2018, the former social worker’s condition had worsened, and she began experiencing severe pain. Consequently, she ended up back in hospital, where she was diagnosed with terminal metastatic breast cancer, which meant that the cancer had spread to her lungs.

She has outlived her terminal diagnosis by some margin, thanks in part to a hormone inhibitor that she has been taking.

The woman instructed national law firm, Thompsons Solicitors, to launch a clinical negligence claim for compensation. Following detailed negotiations and the issue of court proceedings, the firm secured a significant payout. The woman said:

“It’s very emotional reflecting back on what I have had to experience. I find it hard to trust people now. I’m always questioning the decisions I make feeling I have no control over my life.

“I also think about all the other people who have been victims of medical negligence, but don’t know it. I feel upset at how I was dealt with. It seemed that staff were trying to soften me up during discussions with them about my situation, so as to not speak up about negligence and seek justice.”

Fiona Belgian, a medical negligence expert at Thompsons Solicitors, said:

“This has been a hugely distressing ordeal for our client. The catalogue of medical errors is truly shocking.

“She was badly let down by NHS Trusts in the North East. Every medical professional has a duty of care towards their patients. No one should be exposed to medical negligence, but unfortunately our client is not alone in this regard – there are many other victims in the UK.”

A spokesperson from Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust said:

“Due to patient confidentiality, we are unable to comment on individual patient care.”

Medical Negligence claims at Oakwood Solicitors

If you believe you have experienced medical negligence which has caused a delay in diagnosis or implementing treatment, you may be able to claim compensation.

Oakwood Solicitors’ specialist team are on hand to discuss your treatment with you and advise further as to what your choices are.

Our team will be able to give you free advice on the prospects of your case and whether you would be eligible to make a claim.

You have three years to bring about a claim of this nature. This time period runs from either the date the negligence occurred, or the date you ought to have been aware that negligence may have occurred. Do not delay! Get in touch as soon as possible.

Further reading

Medical misdiagnosis or delay – Oakwood Solicitors

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