The Trust did not follow cancer waiting time targets and Mr A was kept waiting too long.
What happened
Mr A went to hospital with possible prostate cancer symptoms. There were considerable delays as he underwent investigations. When he was eventually diagnosed with prostate cancer he faced a further wait for surgery and decided to pay for private treatment.
What we found
The Trust followed the correct sequence of investigations but Mr A suffered as a result of the slow pace of his progress through the system. The cancer waiting time targets were breached by a significant margin. If he had faced further delay on the NHS waiting list, the effect on his prognosis could have been greater. Mr A suffered great distress and worry for several months as a result of this delay, which led him to seek prompt private treatment.
Putting it right
The Trust acknowledged its failings and apologised for the injustice. It paid him £5,000 in recognition of the money he spent on private treatment because of its delays. It prepared an action plan to address shortfalls in that service.
University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust
Southampton
Did not apologise properly or do enough to put things right
Apology
Compensation for financial loss
Recommendation to learn lessons or draw up an action plan