A hospital trust that failed to diagnose cancer leading to a patient's death says it has made changes to "further reduce the risk of harm" to other patients. University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust said is is now hiring four extra consultant pathologists after the death of David Hulme, 49, in March 2021.
David died just one month after being diagnosed with cancer, after the hospital failed to diagnose him with it. After an inquest into his death, a coroner asked the trust to address its "significantly under-resourced" pathology department to prevent future deaths.
His widow Sarah, 52, said: "David was my soulmate and to this day I’m still grieving for him and the life we had together. What makes it worse is knowing that if his cancer had been found and treated earlier, he may still be here.
"Sadly, there’s nothing I can do to change that, no matter how much I wish I could. The only positive I can take from what’s happened is that action is being taken to help stop other families from suffering like we have."
After a series of chest and respiratory symptoms, Dave had his right lung removed at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth, Devon, in June 2020. Following the surgery, the lung was tested and confirmed he had Sarcoidosis, a rare condition that causes organs to develop small patches of red and swollen tissue.
But his symptoms worsened and he attended another hospital in January 2021, which reviewed his lung samples again and he was diagnosed with Lymphoma. David, who was originally from Bradford, West Yorks,. had one round of chemotherapy but sadly died on March 6, 2021.
Sarah added: "The past two years have been nothing short of awful, firstly struggling to come to terms with David’s diagnosis and then losing him so suddenly afterwards. We knew things weren’t quite right after his surgery as his symptoms seemed to get worse instead of better, but nothing could have prepared us for the devastating news that he had cancer.
"I hope that by sharing my story, I can encourage others to see a doctor if they feel something’s not right. We all know our own bodies, so seek a second opinion if you need to. Cancer is a terrible disease that can affect anyone, but finding it early can stop it becoming a death sentence."
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Following an inquest into David's death at Plymouth's Coroner Court in June last year, Coroner Ian Arrow issued a Prevention of Future Deaths Report. In the report, he expressed concerns that the pathology department was "significantly under resourced".
Mr Arrow also requested a review of staffing levels to "ensure timely and accurate diagnosis of conditions".
In response to the coroner, the trust confirmed that funding had since been approved for four further consultant pathologists to "further reduce the risk of harm" to patients. They also admitted that they failed to identify and report a diagnosis of lymphoma and failed to seek a second opinion on test results.
James Pink, the specialist medical negligence lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing Sarah, said: "It’s been almost two years since David death, and his loved ones remain devastated by their loss. Understandably Sarah had many concerns over David’s care with the trust’s, ours and the coroner’s investigations all highlighting worrying issues.
"Following the coroner’s Prevention of Future Deaths Report we welcome the Trust’s confirmation that it’s taking action to recruit more staff which we hope will help improve patient care. While nothing will make up for the pain and anguish David’s family have suffered Sarah hopes that by speaking out she can raise awareness of cancer and how early detection and treatment are key to beating it."
