Patient dies after multiple delays in cancer diagnosis and treatment

An NHS patient has died after multiple delays to their cancer diagnosis and treatment.

NHS Ayrshire and Arran has been told to apologise to the patient’s partner for its failings after “unacceptable delays” between the patient’s scan and them being told they had cancer.

Patients urgently suspected of having cancer are supposed to receive their first treatment within 62 days. This didn’t happen.

The patient’s partner believes the health board’s failings in care and treatment while in hospital led to their loved one’s death.

They made a complaint to the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO)

The ombudsman took independent advice from a consultant in acute and general medicine.

It found that while “significant parts” of the patient’s care and treatment had been “reasonable”, there were delays in the diagnosis and initiation of cancer treatment.

NHS Scotland has a 62-day cancer target, which means that 95% of patients urgently referred with a suspicion of cancer should start treatment within that time.

In this case, the watchdog said NHS Ayrshire and Arran did not meet this target.

The health board also aims to have regular morbidity and mortality meetings, which give departments the chance to review when things have gone well and learn where things could have gone better.

However, at the time of the patient’s death, a meeting had not taken place.

The health board said a new process has been put in place, and all deaths were reviewed through this process.

The SPSO also found issues with the board’s handling of the complaint.

The ombudsman made a number of recommendations, including that the health board apologise to the patient’s partner.

Jennifer Wilson, executive nurse director for NHS Ayrshire and Arran said: “We are deeply sorry that the care provided in this case did not meet the high standards we strive for at NHS Ayrshire and Arran. We extend our deepest condolences to their family during this difficult time.

“We fully accept the findings and recommendations outlined in the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman report. A formal apology has been issued to the family of [the patient], and we are actively addressing each of the recommendations.

“To ensure meaningful learning across our organisation, we will share the report’s findings with staff and seek assurance that all necessary actions have been implemented.”