Cancer misdiagnosis

Dear Susy,

I am very sorry to learn about your illness. As to whether you have a clinical negligence claim against your doctor will largely depend on the symptoms that you were suffering with at the time of your consultations. If you had warning signs that should have been noticed then you should have been referred you to hospital for further tests. I am uncertain as to the type of cancer that you have been diagnosed with but some cancers grow very quickly and an early diagnosis is cruicial. Others develop more slowly thus even if the doctor had spotted it earlier the outcome may have been the same.

In a clinical negligence case we need to establish firstly whether we can prove that your doctors care towards you fell below the standard that could be expected, and secondly that that failure has led to a loss. In other words, if an earlier diagnosis could have made a diffence to the outcome in your case you would have a claim. If in fact your cancer has been properly treated and the delay has not altered the outcome you have suffered no loss and would not have a claim. You can in any event make a complaint to your GP practice about your concerns. Your surgery should have a written complaints procedure that you can utilise.

I hope this helps but please use our freephone number if you would like to speak to me in person about your case.