Home / Health / Wales Health Failures Led to Man's Death
Wales Health Failures Led to Man's Death
14 Oct
Summary
- A 70-year-old man died of metastatic choroidal melanoma.
- Health professionals failed to follow up on a recommended appointment.
- 140,000 ophthalmology appointments await review in Wales.
A 70-year-old man, Alexandar McDonald, died on November 30, 2025, from the effects of metastatic choroidal melanoma. An inquest revealed that health professionals failed to follow up on a recommended appointment after an initial scan in June 2022, delaying diagnosis and treatment by six months.
This delay proved fatal as the cancer had already metastasized to his liver. The Gwent area coroner noted that earlier intervention could have begun treatment sooner.
The Welsh government acknowledged unacceptable failings in referral management, emphasizing the need for lessons learned. The case underscores a critical issue in Wales, where 140,000 ophthalmology follow-up appointments are awaiting review, with only 65 consultant ophthalmologists available.
