On Christmas eve patients receive 'aggressive lung cancer' diagnosis instead of Merry Christmas text by their GP
After finding themselves at the receiving end of an "unbelievable error" Patients at the Askern Medical Practice, near Doncaster were later sent "sincere apologies" by the medical staff.
By ET Spotlight Special |
Agencies
Hundreds of patients at the Askern Medical Practice who were supposed to receive a "Merry Christmas" text, instead received lung cancer diagnosis from their General practitioner (GP). The texts were sent due to a technical error.
Registered patients of the Askern Medical Practice, near Doncaster, received messages informing them about "aggressive lung cancer with metastases", followed by another message offering "sincere apologies" for the incorrect diagnosis and wishing them a “Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year”.
Property developer Chris Reed, 57, a father waiting for his lung cancer test results, was among the patients who received the message due to a technical error. Reed said that his partner burst into tears upon hearing the news and even tried calling the surgery but could not get through as all the lines were completely jammed.
Once he could not get through the phone, he went into surgery instead and demanded to see a doctor. He was later told that the message was a mistake and that his results were in fact negative.
In complete disbelief, Mr. Reed said that the hospital staff went from "You’ve got lung cancer" to "Merry Christmas" in about an hour. The patients who were sent the message were instructed to get a DS1500 for the person mentioned in the message. DS1500 is a form that can be used by those diagnosed with terminal illnesses to claim several health benefits as “metastases” would suggest that cancer had spread too much and was likely to be incurable.
Registered patients of the Askern Medical Practice, near Doncaster, received messages informing them about "aggressive lung cancer with metastases", followed by another message offering "sincere apologies" for the incorrect diagnosis and wishing them a “Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year”.
Property developer Chris Reed, 57, a father waiting for his lung cancer test results, was among the patients who received the message due to a technical error. Reed said that his partner burst into tears upon hearing the news and even tried calling the surgery but could not get through as all the lines were completely jammed.
Once he could not get through the phone, he went into surgery instead and demanded to see a doctor. He was later told that the message was a mistake and that his results were in fact negative.
In complete disbelief, Mr. Reed said that the hospital staff went from "You’ve got lung cancer" to "Merry Christmas" in about an hour. The patients who were sent the message were instructed to get a DS1500 for the person mentioned in the message. DS1500 is a form that can be used by those diagnosed with terminal illnesses to claim several health benefits as “metastases” would suggest that cancer had spread too much and was likely to be incurable.
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FAQs:
- Has Askern Medical Centre taken responsibility for technical error?
Yes, Askern Medical Center has taken full responsibility for the Error and apologized for the same as well. - What is the DS1500 form mentioned in the message sent to patients due to the technical error?
DS1500 is a medical form that gives medical benefits to patients diagnosed with terminal illnesses.
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