Thousands of cancer patients misdiagnosed

An investigation at the Bristol Royal Infirmary (BRI) has revealed nearly 7,000 serious errors may have occurred over the past 10 years.

Pathologists are alleged to have misread the results between 2004 and 2008. Independent pathological review of these cases discovered that only 7 had actually been correctly interpreted.

A separate report commissioned by the United Hospitals Bristol Trust (UHBT) admits that out on a further 3,500 cases, 3.4% may have been misdiagnosed. As the hospital examines more than 20,000 specimens a year, this could mean as many as 6,800 errors over the past decade.

A Consultant Pathologist stated, “a three percent error rate would never be acceptable”.

A spokesman for UHBT said that an independent panel has found no evidence to suggest that the Pathology Department was not safe.

Examples of medical negligence at the Bristol Royal Infirmary through this investigation consist of: -

• A retired nurse with terminal cancer who was dismissed by doctors as ‘hysterical’ for wanting a breast lump removed;
• A patient who was wrongly given the all-clear after a series of tests nearly seven years ago;
• A former NHS Manager of Cancer Services who died after her breast cancer went undetected;
• A patient who died from breast cancer in 2004 after a lump was wrongly classed as benign.

Patients and families of those who died as a result of the medical negligence are now preparing to commence legal action against the Hospital Trust.

We have a specialist clinical and medical negligence team who have undertaken numerous successful claims for patients involved in the negligent delay in diagnosing cancer by the NHS or other Healthcare Provider.

For further information on our expertise in dealing with the issue raised in this article please contact the Medical Negligence Team on 0844 984 6155/6.