Health Trust Admits Cancer Patient Failure

A Northern Irish health trust has admitted failing a terminal cancer patient after tests showing a lesion on his lung were not acted on for nine months.

Alan Kelso, 81, from Garvagh, had an X-ray taken in July 2011 during a 12-day stay at the Causeway Hotel in Coleraine after he had a stroke.

But it was not until March 2012 that further scans were taken on the lesion seen in the X-ray images, confirming that Mr Kelso had a cancerous tumour.

The shocking omission came to light when Mr Kelso's son Trevor, concerned that his father was losing weight, sent him for various follow-up procedures.

The consultant who had checked Alan Kelso's records asked Trevor what the hospital were doing about the lesion on his father's right lung.

Trevor told the BBC: "I was just shocked, I didn't know what he was talking about."

Although this meeting was in December, no scans were taken until March.

Alan Kelso has now been told he has only a matter of months left to live, as the cancer has now progressed into his glands and chest.

The Northern Health Trust has admitted there was a "history of error" in the case.

Sean Donaghy, the Trust's Chief Executive, said: "It's a terrible story and one that requires further action from us. Our system failed for Mr Kelso."

(NE/GK)