Grandma-of-10 died after ‘doctors took four years to discover the true cause of her persistent cough’
After years of searching for the real source of their mother’s chronic cough, devastated daughters have criticized a private health provider for “catastrophic” shortcomings.
In February 2019, Margaret Jones’s right lung showed signs of worry on a CT scan.
However, the gran-of-ten was not given a lung cancer diagnosis until December 2023.
According to her daughters, the disease had progressed to her brain and bones by the time she was informed, ultimately leading to her death in August 2024 at the age of 76.
However, they assert that their mother might still be alive today if medical professionals GenesisCare had taken action sooner.
Attorneys have now been consulted on Margaret’s passing.
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Karen, her daughter, stated: “Without our mother, we are completely lost, heartbroken, and furious.
“She was our world’s center, and knowing that her cancer was curable and losing her in such a preventable way has ruined everything.
“This did not have to occur.
“Mum had complete faith in the medical community; she would never have questioned the advice of the experts.
“But what has happened here is a catastrophic failure, and was utterly devastating for her to find out about.”
Sarah, her other daughter, said: “Mum didn’t want this to happen to anyone else, so we as a family are speaking out in the hope we can stop this happening again, to save even one more family being torn apart as we have been.”
I m a doctor and these 5 changes could be a sign of deadly lung cancer
Spire Hospital Portsmouth referred Margaret, who also had a son, to GenesisCare, an oncology treatment provider, where she paid privately for her care.
Prior to a planned course of radiation treatment for her previously diagnosed breast cancer, she underwent a preoperative CT scan, which revealed a problem in her upper right lung.
It is alleged, however, that Margaret’s oncologist was not notified of this.
Margaret from Fareham had a chest X-ray performed by the NHS in 2022 as a result of a persistent cough.
The results were “clear” at the time, however it was later discovered that the tumor was also evident on this scan.
When she went back to the doctor in December 2023 after losing weight and losing her appetite, a diagnosis was eventually made.
At that point, she was diagnosed, and the physicians revealed that her cancer may have been detected sooner.
GenesisCare is conducting an internal investigation into what transpired after referring itself to the CQC regarding its involvement in the situation.
But according to Margaret’s family’s attorneys, this has been hampered by missing emails, medical data, and an audit trail.
“I don’t know how an organization can function without an audit trail, especially one that deals with life-or-death information,” Karen remarked.
“This method of operation is unsuitable. Our mother has been utterly let down by them.
“The shortcomings are simply so fundamental.
“To ensure that material of this magnitude has been communicated, you should ask for an email read receipt.
“In circumstances such as these, information continuity is vital.
“This could definitely happen again if the right procedures aren’t in place, and that is incredibly frightening to us.
“We need proper answers so we can fix the root cause of what happened here.”
WHAT IS LUNG CANCER?
In the UK, lung cancer is the most frequent and lethal type of cancer.
Along with the prostate, breast, and colon, it is regarded as a common cancer, accounting for almost half of all new cases.
Every year, some 49,000 people receive a lung cancer diagnosis, and 35,000 of them pass away from the disease.
In the UK, lung tumors account for 21% of cancer deaths, but only 13% of cases, and only 10% of patients live for ten years or longer after receiving a diagnosis.
The primary cause of its high fatality rate is the early lack of evident symptoms.
When symptoms do show up, they could include:
- A cough that lasts three weeks or more, and may hurt
- Repeated chest infections
- Coughing up blood
- Breathlessness
- Unusual tiredness
Although the NHS does not regularly screen for lung cancer, it is increasing the number of tests it offers to high-risk smokers and ex-smokers in an effort to detect the disease early. CT scans of the chest and X-rays may be used in testing.
About 70% of instances of lung cancer are caused by smoking, making it the leading risk factor for the disease.
Those who have inhaled silica, asbestos, coal smoke, or other harmful substances at work may also be at greater risk.
Sarah went on to say: “This demonstrated to us that it had been the case when we requested to view medical information.
As a family, we sincerely hope that more people are aware that they have the right to request copies of their scans and medical information.
“Obviously, this shouldn’t be necessary if the right procedures are in place, but we want individuals to feel free to seek a second opinion if they have any concerns.
“What has happened to us will never be recovered from by our family. Our mother was everything to us; she was truly wonderful, and her grandkids find it incomprehensible that they will never again see her.
“My youngest child asks, ‘Is that nanny?’ when the doorbell rings.” It is just devastating.
‘Deepest condolences’
The legal company Slater and Gordon is providing support to Margaret’s family.
“This is an absolutely shocking failure of process which has had the most tragic consequences,” stated Nicole Jackson, an associate and clinical negligence specialist.
“Margaret’s family finds it difficult to understand what went wrong and must contend with the fact that their mother would most likely still be with them today if the tumor had been removed.
“They have a lot of questions to answer, and we’ll help them discover the answers.
“It is vital that we establish how these failings were allowed to occur and what lessons must be learned, to support the family in ensuring this never happens again.”
“We extend our sincere condolences to Margaret Jones’s family and friends,” a GenesisCare representative stated.
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“The circumstances surrounding Margaret’s death are still being looked into in order to find any shortcomings and make sure that any necessary lessons are learned.
“Unfortunately, we are not able to provide any further comment at this time as legal proceedings have been intimated and the matter is in the hands of lawyers.”
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