Western Isles NHS failed to investigate cancer symptoms despite 'red flags'

A NHS Board has apologised “unreservedly” after it failed to properly investigate a patient’s cancer symptoms despite “red flags”.

When the patient underwent initial scans, they did not show any signs of cancer. However, their GP then referred them to a NHS Western Isles ear, nose and throat specialist.

The Scottish Public Services Ombudsman, which investigated a complaint made on behalf of the patient’s family, said that this referral was not treated as urgent and it took nine weeks for the patient to be seen.

While waiting to been seen the patient was admitted to hospital. But, the medical team failed to recognise “red flags” for the possibility of cancer.

The Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO) said medics “placed undue emphasis” on the patient’s symptoms being of a “psychological nature”.

The patient’s referral to an ear, nose and throat (ENT) consultant failed to be expedited. Had an ENT review been arranged while the patient was in hospital, it is likely that their cancer would have been diagnosed at this point, the SPSO said.

Although catching the cancer sooner would have been unlikely to change the outcome for the patient, it would have given them and their family more time to come to terms with the illness.

NHS Western Isles offered an unreserved apology to the family.

A spokesperson for the NHS board said: “NHS Western Isles would firstly pass on sincerest condolences to the family affected.

“NHS Western Isles has accepted the recommendations and required actions in full and has apologised unreservedly to the family for the issues identified.

“NHS has reflected on and has shared the findings of the SPSO report with all staff involved to ensure that recommendations and feedback is acted upon”.

As part of its investigation, the SPSO sought advice from radiology, ENT and general medical consultants.

It told the NHS board that: “Patients’ physical symptoms should be thoroughly assessed and they should be appropriately referred for review and scanning/x-ray as required in accordance with their presenting symptoms.”

The watchdog also said referrals to ENT should be appropriately triaged and upgraded as required.