Medical Negligence

A delayed cancer diagnosis and a series of hold-ups in referrals, appointments and communication with the patient left our client waiting months for treatment and her colorectal polyps developed into bowel cancer. This was yet another claim for a delayed diagnosis of cancer settled against the Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust. “Potentially, it’s a backlog from the pandemic, but sadly, we are seeing more clients who have been diagnosed late with cancer.

Late Bowel Cancer Diagnosis In this case, our client’s polyps were such that when they were initially assessed, it should have been clear that they carried an increased risk of bowel cancer. What is Adenocarcinoma? Adenocarcinoma is a type of cancer which develops in the glands lining your organs and is a common form of colon cancer. Our client went from benign polyps to stage 3 bowel cancer which spread to her adjacent lymph nodes.

She was told by the clinician treating her that she would need a long course of chemoradiotherapy to shrink the tumour, to be followed by surgery. A Consultant colorectal surgeon acknowledged there had been delays in her diagnosis and treatment and apologised to her at the hospital.

“No appropriate pathways for treatment were established to ensure expedited treatment of pre-cancerous polyps and there was a total breach in duty of care by the Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust. I am glad that we were able to secure a £50,000 settlement for her to help with future care costs and equipment needed.