- England’s health ombudsman has ordered Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust to apologise to the family of a retired history teacher who died after experiencing significant delays in her cancer diagnosis and treatment.
- The Chelmsford woman was diagnosed with terminal ovarian cancer in March 2023, but due to delays, she was too unwell to receive chemotherapy that might have extended her life.
- The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) found that her diagnosis took 49 days, exceeding the 28-day target, and treatment began 81 days after referral, well beyond the 62-day target.
- The PHSO concluded that the trust's failings caused distress to the patient and her family, recommending a review of waiting times and other improvements.
- Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust has apologised to the family and said it is implementing an integrated improvement plan to speed up treatment times.
IN FULL
How ‘delay after delay’ at Essex hospital led to early death of cancer patient
