NHS trust apologises for cancer mistakes

Far more than 800 sufferers have been contacted by the trust to have their instances reviewed. Photograph: Nick Ansell/PA

A lot more than 800 sufferers suspected of possessing cancer could have had their diagnosis delayed simply because of an administrative error, a hospital believe in has admitted.

West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Believe in stated at least one particular person could have died as a outcome of the blunders and 121 patients are nevertheless yet to have their case reviewed.

Between January 2010 and November 2013 patients who failed to flip up for their initial appointment right after getting urgently referred for cancer exams had been not usually provided a 2nd appointment and in some circumstances were discharged by the trust – which contravenes NHS suggestions.

In total, 810 patients have been contacted by the trust to have their cases reviewed and of those 686 have been informed there are no clinical considerations in excess of their care.

But the believe in admitted the delay in seeing 1 patient may have contributed to their death, although the death of an additional patient whose diagnosis was delayed is not considered to have been preventable. The trust has apologised to the households of the two patients.

The trust, which is created up of Hemel Hempstead Hospital, Watford Standard hospital and St Albans City hospital, discovered the error following the launch of its new management crew in November.

Samantha Jones, the chief executive of the believe in, said: “It is totally clear that the trust was not constantly following the proper administrative processes for these patients and we let them down.

“These considerations date back a quantity of years and had been recognized as portion of the new management team’s dedication to increase the way we administer and control patient care.

“I would like to apologise to every and each patient who has been impacted and particularly to the family members of these who have since died.

“We have of course created substantial adjustments to help avoid this ever happening yet again and will share the end result of our investigations with individuals affected and with the wider public.”

The believe in stated it has given that implemented a new IT method, retrained staff and holds every day testimonials of all sufferers who miss cancer appointments.

Hemel Hempstead Conservative MP Mike Penning mentioned: “I am shocked to find out that Hemel Hempstead cancer individuals have been allowed to slip by means of the net due to the incorrect use of procedures. They have been badly let down and it is really upsetting.

“A nationwide assessment is necessary to make certain that the issue is not becoming repeated elsewhere and that no far more individuals are let down in this way.

“I commend present chief executive Samantha Jones and her crew for finding the difficulty and facing it head on to guarantee that no a lot more sufferers endure the exact same break-down in their care.”

The believe in mentioned it was “confident” it had contacted everyone affected by the errors but anybody concerned must speak to their GP or contact the trust’s data line on 01923 217 100.

NHS trust apologises for cancer mistakes