Delays in diagnosing spreading cancer

What happened

The Trust diagnosed Mr R with terminal cancer in early 2009. He developed a lump on his hip in late 2009 and the Trust diagnosed it as an abscess in spring 2010. Staff treated this with antibiotics.

In early summer 2010, Trust staff decided that the lump could show that Mr R's cancer was spreading, and arranged scans. Doctors found widespread cancer and Mr R had radiotherapy, but before clinicians could consider or start chemotherapy, his condition deteriorated to the point where he was no longer well enough to have the treatment.

Mr R died in late summer 2010. Miss T, his daughter, complained that the delay in diagnosing and treating him meant her father could not have chemotherapy. She said he suffered unnecessary pain and discomfort because of these delays.

What we found

The care and treatment given was appropriate. There were no delays in diagnosis or treatment. However, communication with Mr R and his family about planned chemotherapy treatment was poor and caused confusion about what was happening, and distress. There were also delays in complaint handling.

We partly upheld the complaint.

Putting it right

The Trust apologised to Miss T and paid her £250 in recognition of the distress it had caused. It also took steps to make sure that staff are aware of the need for clear and correct communication with patients and their families.

It explained to Miss T what improvements it has made to make sure that it deals with complaints more quickly.