A woman was wrongly discharged from North Manchester General Hospital respiratory clinic care after doctors failed to spot a malignant tumour in her lung.
A 60-year-old woman was wrongly discharged from North Manchester General Hospital respiratory clinic care after a team of doctors failed to spot a malignant tumour in her lung.
The woman underwent a CT scan of her chest at North Manchester General Hospital respiratory clinic in March 2020. The scan identified a nodule in the lower part of her left lung and a plan was made for a follow-up scan in three months.
In June 2020, the claimant underwent a follow-up scan which showed that the nodule had grown and now had irregular edges. The radiologist concluded; “malignancy cannot be excluded. Continued follow-up recommended”.
When her case was examined by a multi-disciplinary team of doctors and nurses at the respiratory clinic, it was incorrectly decided that no follow-up was needed and she could be discharged.
A simple but serious mistake
Eight months later, the claimant had to have scans for a separate abdominal issue. At that point, clinicians at North Manchester General referred her for further scans and a biopsy which revealed she had Stage 4 metastatic lung cancer.
“A simple but serious mistake had a terrible effect on my client and her outlook,” said Brendan Hope, partner at Leigh Day.
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, which is responsible for North Manchester General Hospital, admitted they it had been negligent to discharge the claimant from the respiratory clinic in June 2020 and failed to recommend a PET CT scan and consider a biopsy of the tumour.
It agreed to pay the claimant £160,000 which includes cover for a substantial palliative care package.
