A woman who was on 21 prescription painkillers a day and was still crippled by pain, was wrongly diagnosed with muscular problems – when all the time, she was suffering from terminal cancer.
Tina Hammond says she feels “utterly failed” by her GP practice which did not refer her for specialist examination despite several appointments and telephone consultations over a six month period.
Tina Hammond
Background
After first visiting her then GP in 2011 with neck and shoulder pain, Tina Hammond was prescribed a course of anti-inflammatories, which initially helped. In March 2013, the pain continued to get worse and moved into her back. She attended her surgery again in May 2013 only to be diagnosed with a muscular problem and told that it would resolve within a fortnight.
When her symptoms persisted and worsened, she contacted her new doctor after moving surgery due to relocation in June 2013.
Tina then had numerous over the phone consultations and four physio sessions during a period of six months – all while being in excruciating pain. During this time, Tina spoke with several different GP’s at the North West Leicestershire practice.
She said:
“The surgery kept upping my dosage of pain relief medication but I felt like I was getting nowhere. It was having no effect and at one point I was taking 21 tablets a day to alleviate the pain, but they still didn’t help.
“The surgery believed my symptoms to be muscular and as a result had prescribed physiotherapy. Yet when attending the sessions, it felt like my bones were going to break and I knew something was seriously wrong.
“During the telephone consultations I had asked for an MRI scan but was told I didn’t need one. I put my trust in my doctors and would urge those who are worried about their health to raise their concerns further.”
In October 2013, with no action being taken, Tina requested to be referred for specialist opinion on a private basis, after this appointment with the specialist she was then put on the NHS waiting list for an MRI scan. It was following the results of the scan that she was diagnosed with terminal spine cancer which had spread throughout her spine and bones from her breast.
Following the diagnosis Tina instructed Nelsons. Specialist clinical negligence solicitor, Danielle Young, represented Tina and her family in a claim for negligence brought against five GP’s at the same practice.
Tina said:
“I have always been reasonably fit and healthy and rarely had cause to visit my doctors during my previous working years so I would have thought my symptoms, including getting pins and needles and losing strength in my arms and legs, would have indicated that something was very wrong.”
Tina had the MRI scan on 21 December 2013 and was rushed into Leicester Royal Infirmary seven days later on 28 December at 10.20pm after it revealed aggressive cancer and that she was hours away from being paralysed.
Tina then underwent six hours of intricate surgery to have a cage and pins inserted around her spine for support and to prevent paralysis. Only days later, she had to have a metal rod put into her right arm to stop it fracturing. She was told this treatment could have been avoided, if earlier warning signs had been picked up by her GP practice.
It was stated in a report looking into the case that a severe red flag should have prompted quicker action from her GP’s following the results of a blood test that was requested on 20 June. On 25 June 2013, the test showed raised alkaline phosphate levels, which together with Tina’s other symptoms were red flag warning signs which should have prompted action.
Although the cancer would not have been curable, even with an earlier diagnosis, had she been referred by any of the five GP’s, Tina would have avoided the severe suffering she endured over the six months and would have avoided the need for the significant spinal surgery and the operation on her right arm.
Despite her condition and diagnosis of terminal cancer, Tina does not let it affect her day-to-day life and outlook. She has now moved surgery and is really pleased with the care she is receiving. Her mum, June, and dad, Norman, say she is determined to speak out about her experience to help others.
June said:
“No one should have to see their daughter go through what we have seen Tina face. We feel failed by the GP practice. You put all your faith and trust in the hands of your doctor because you do not know any better, but in this case we have been failed.
“Positive thinking has gotten us all through, but those six months before a diagnosis were hell. If one thing can be learnt, I hope that those hearing about our story now and who are concerned about their health make sure they push for results and to be heard.”
Danielle Young, a specialist in Medical Negligence from Nelsons , worked closely with Tina Hammond to bring a case against the North West Leicestershire surgery. Although liability was not admitted by the surgery, Nelsons helped achieve a compensation settlement out of court for Tina.
Danielle said:
“This is a case in which basic warning signs were missed which could have resulted in an earlier diagnosis.
“This could have saved Miss Hammond’s from life-threatening surgery and shortened the considerable pain she was in for more than six months. I’m pleased that this case has been settled and lessons will be learned.”
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