Below, you can discover our research on the rate of fatal cancer misdiagnosis cases and Diagnosis Delays within the NHS over the last few years. If you have any questions about this research or would like to see the raw data, please get in touch here.
How We Conducted Our Research
Medical Negligence Assist sent Freedom of Information Requests to every UK NHS Trust to find out the number of fatalities due to delayed cancer diagnosis and misdiagnosis.
We asked for the number of fatalities in the last three years (Between 2021, up to and including any instances in 2024).
Of the 125 NHS Trusts that were contacted, 74% provided full responses to the requests for information.
10 Trusts denied the request either due to the request exceeding appropriate costs for retrieving the information or because their systems do not hold the information or allow their data to be aggregated in a way that would sufficiently answer the request.
Our investigation arose from concerns surrounding cancer diagnosis delays and misdiagnoses in the UK in recent years.
In November last year, Cancer Research UK warned that the UK’s progress in treating the disease is at risk of stalling due to slow and late diagnosis coupled with treatment delays.
Recently, England’s Health Ombudsman, Rob Behrens warned that cancer patients could be put at risk and called for immediate government action after research into cancer complaints frequently pointed to misdiagnosis and treatment delays.
Our investigation shows the NHS trusts where fatalities have occurred as a result of cancer diagnosis delays and/or misdiagnosis.
The Results Of Our Research Into Fatal Cancer Misdiagnosis and Delayed Diagnosis Cases
A number of NHS Trusts across the UK have confirmed cases where patients have died due to delays in cancer diagnosis and/or misdiagnosis.
The most fatalities due to cancer delayed diagnosis and/or misdiagnosis were recorded by The Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
The Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
The Trust confirmed a total of 10 such deaths between 2021/24.
Two deaths, it confirmed, happened in 2021, followed by a further five in 2022 – notably these were the years where the coronavirus pandemic was at its peak.
Three more fatalities were recorded in 2023. So far this year, as of April 2024 there have been no reported deaths due to delays in cancer diagnosis or misdiagnosis.
Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust
Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust runs four main sites in the North West including, Salford Royal Hospital, The Royal Oldham Hospitals, Rochdale Infirmary and Fairfield General Hospital in Bury.
It recorded the UK’s second highest figures, confirming a total of six deaths between 2021 and 2024.
Two deaths were recorded in 2021, followed by a further three in 2022. Another fatality was also confirmed for 2023.
The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust
The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust has confirmed six deaths due to delayed cancer diagnosis and misdiagnosis in the past three years.
With sites in the West Midlands including Wolverhampton and Cannock, it was found to have some of the highest figures out of all UK trusts.
The trust confirmed a total of six deaths between 2021 and 2024.
Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust
Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust has confirmed four deaths due to delayed cancer diagnosis and misdiagnosis in the past three years.
It is the fourth highest figure to be reported out of all UK trusts, coming behind Newcastle Upon Tyne Trust, which reported 10 such fatalities and Northern Care Alliance and Royal Wolverhampton which reported 6 each.
The trust primarily runs healthcare services including Royal Berkshire Hospital, Townslands Memorial Hospital and West Berkshire Community Hospital.
Two fatalities were recorded by the trust in 2021 as well as a further two in 2023.
So far this year, as of May 2024 there have been no reported deaths due to delays in cancer diagnosis or misdiagnosis, according to the trust.
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust has confirmed four deaths due to delayed cancer diagnosis and misdiagnosis in the past three years.
With main hospital sites including Leeds General Infirmary and St James’s University Hospital, the Trust was found to have the fifth highest figures out of all UK trusts.
Two deaths were recorded in 2021, followed by a further death in 2022. Another fatality was also confirmed for 2023.
So far this year, as of April 2024 there have been no reported deaths due to delays in cancer diagnosis or misdiagnosis, according to the trust.
County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
County Durham and Darlington NHS Trust has confirmed three deaths due to missed cancers in the past three years, marking the sixth highest figures out of all UK trusts.
One of the largest integrated care providers in England, the trust confirmed a total of three deaths related to “missed cancers” in the last three years.
Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust
Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust has confirmed three deaths due to delayed cancer diagnosis and misdiagnosis in the past three years.
With main sites including City Hospital on Birmingham’s Dudley Road and Sandwell General Hospital in West Bromwich, the trust was among many to report such fatalities.
Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust confirmed a total of three such deaths between 2021 and 2024.
One death was recorded in 2021, followed by two further fatalities in 2022.
Other Recorded Fatalities in NHS Trusts
Multiple NHS Trusts did not confirm specific numbers due to concerns about patient confidentiality but did provide estimated figures. These were:
(Less than 5):
- Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust:
- Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust
- Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust
- Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
- London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust
- Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust
- Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust
- Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
- Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust
- Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust
- South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust
- St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust
- University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
- Whittington Health NHS Trust
- Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust
Rob Behrens, England’s Health ombudsman has stressed the imperative of safe and effective care within the NHS.
“Patient safety will always be at risk in environments that are understaffed and where staff are exhausted and under unsustainable pressure,” he said.
He called for “concerted and sustained action from the government” to ensure NHS leaders can focus on safeguarding patients.
The situation is further reflected in NHS England’s data which shows that only 74.2 per cent of patients urgently referred for suspected cancer in December 2023 received a diagnosis or had cancer ruled out within 28 days, failing to meet the 75 per cent target.
This month, April 11, Cancer Research UK produced a report on the latest cancer waiting times in England saying: “Once again, the cancer waiting times published today represent unacceptable waits for cancer patients.”
Looking at cancer waiting times, shows whether the health system is meeting its targets for quickly diagnosing and treating cancer and can help show the extent of the pressures with England’s Healthcare.
The Cancer Research UK report adds: “Behind every one of these missed targets are patients, friends, family and loved ones who are facing unacceptably long and anxious waits to find out if they have cancer and when they can begin treatment.
“Whilst it is welcome that the Faster Diagnostic Standard (FDS) of 75% has been met, which is testament to the hard work of NHS staff in responding to growing demands for diagnostic tests, the 75% target is set well below the originally recommended target of 95%. We have not seen all cancer waiting times met since 2015 which represents a long-term failure to plan and invest in the NHS workforce and key facilities and equipment.”
Head of Medical Negligence at MNA, Nick Banks said: “Whilst claiming against medical insurance agencies can seem daunting, such claims are the best way to ensure funding is made available for all of the patient’s short-term and longer-term needs.
“This can make a real difference to how quickly that patient is able to regain their former quality of life.
“Bringing such claims can also help the medical profession to identify important areas of improvement, hopefully ensuring that no future patients ever fall victim to the same mistakes.”
How We Can Help You
If you’ve lost a loved one due to a fatal cancer misdiagnosis and would like legal advice, we can help.
Our team of medical negligence solicitors have significant experience in these types of cases and understand and appreciate their sensitive nature.
To speak with us, you can call our free helpline and live chat which is open 24 hours a day, 7 days per week. If you’d like to learn more about the process of claiming compensation for a cancer misdiagnosis, we have a comprehensive guide here.