What happened with Mrs S and the Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust?

Mrs S experienced significant delays in her cancer diagnosis and treatment at the MSE NHS Foundation Trust, leading to her death before she could receive vital chemotherapy.

What are the NHS England cancer waiting time standards?

NHS England standards require cancer patients to be diagnosed within 28 days of referral and begin treatment within 62 days.

What improvements are being made by the MSE NHS Foundation Trust?

The trust is implementing an integrated improvement plan, investing in new technology, and increasing capacity for cancer appointments to reduce wait times.

Home / Health / Cancer Delays Cost Life: Mother Too Ill for Treatment

Cancer Delays Cost Life: Mother Too Ill for Treatment

14 Jan

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Summary

Woman died after significant delays in diagnosis and treatment.
Hospital trust failed to meet national NHS diagnostic targets.
Ombudsman ordered trust to apologize for failings in care.

Cancer Delays Cost Life: Mother Too Ill for Treatment

A retired history teacher, identified as Mrs S, from Chelmsford, Essex, died in 2023 after a series of healthcare system failures led to prolonged delays in her cancer diagnosis and treatment. Her son described a distressing period of "delay after delay" at the Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust (MSE), which has fallen below critical waitlist and diagnostic targets.

Mrs S first sought medical attention in January 2023 for abdominal bloating. Despite receiving a diagnosis of ovarian cancer on March 21, treatment was delayed by 81 days post-referral. This extended wait meant that by the time chemotherapy could have been administered, she was too ill to receive it, significantly impacting her quality of life and prognosis. The diagnosis itself took 49 days, far exceeding the 28-day target.

The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman has directed the MSE trust to issue a formal apology to Mrs S's family, acknowledging the distress caused by these care failings. The trust has committed to improving its performance, investing in new technology and integrated improvement plans to expedite cancer treatment times and ensure patients receive timely care, a change that will hopefully prevent future tragedies.