Serious failings at NHS Trust where cancer patient died after surgery delay
Serious failings have been found at an NHS Trust which performed “unacceptably delayed” and unnecessary surgery on a cancer patient.
Denis Harrison, 62, died after waiting six months for cancer surgery at Warrington and Halton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust after being diagnosed with bladder cancer.
By the time he was operated on, in April 2017, the cancer had progressed beyond an inoperable state.
The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) investigated the case after a complaint from Mr Harrison’s wife.
The body said it was not possible to know whether earlier surgery would have saved his life, but that he “was not given the best possible chance of survival”.
Rob Behrens, parliamentary and health service ombudsman, said: “The failings in this case caused huge anxiety and distress to Mrs Harrison, who has been left not knowing whether more prompt treatment could have extended her husband’s life.
“The trust knew Mr Harrison’s cancer was growing and could be treatable but they failed to act with any urgency and in line with clear NHS guidelines. It is essential they learn from this case.”
Mr Harrison, from Warrington, was referred to the trust with urgent suspected cancer in October 2016 and diagnosed the same month.
As per NHS guidance, he should have been treated by no later than February 11 the following year.
When he went to hospital with a swollen leg in March, staff failed to carry out a scan which would have shown that his cancer had spread.
He was operated on the following month, when the procedure was abandoned upon discovery of the spread, and died in August that year.
Mrs Harrison said she and her husband suffered “extreme anxiety” in the months of waiting.
She said: “On top of my husband’s diagnosis, the trust’s delay in arranging an operation caused both of us severe mental anguish.
“I complained to the ombudsman because I don’t want anybody else to go through what my husband had to endure. The trust needs to do more to make sure that this can never happen again.”
Kimberley Salmon Jamieson, chief nurse at Warrington and Halton NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The Trust would like to sincerely apologise to Mr Harrison’s family for the poor care experienced, and we fully acknowledge and accept the findings within the report from the PHSO.
“The trust has taken actions following Mr Harrison’s death and as a result of the recommendations within the report. The trust remains committed to learning and improving our services and we would like to reiterate our sincere condolences to the family for their sad loss.”
The ombudsman recommends that the trust writes to Mrs Harrison, acknowledging its failure, and pays her £3,000 in light of the anxiety it caused.
It says the trust has agreed to develop a system to prevent future failings of the same nature.
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