Man who quit his job after being told he had months to live was misdiagnosed

A south Cumbria man who was misdiagnosed by a hospital and given only months to live has now been told he is cancer-free.

Paul Edginton, 45, from Grange-over-Sands was diagnosed with cancer of the lining of his brain in March last year at the Westmorland General Hospital in Kendal, and at the time he was told he had only a matter of months to live.

Read more:Morecambe Bay hospitals stand down from critical incident

Mr Edginton was told at the time they could offer him two different treatment options, both of which carried “significant risks of toxicity with a low probability of success in treating the suspected cancer.”

However, Mr Edginton wasn’t happy with the diagnosis he received and decided to seek a second opinion, which he did from Ambia Health.

Ambia Health was set up to enable patients from all walks of life to obtain an independent second opinion on their medical imaging.

Sometimes they find discrepancies or interpret the scan in a different way which can be very important and may alter the primary patient diagnosis – which is what happened in Mr Edginton’s case.

It was found that while Mr Edginton did have cancer, it was not progressive or terminal and after starting treatment at Royal Preston Hospital at the end of March 2021, he has since been told he is cancer-free.

Talking about the ordeal, Mr Edginton said: “I was told over the phone. I asked what are the options and she said chemo would be very toxic and not very effective. She said enjoy the time you have left.

“But I was determined to prove she had given me the wrong diagnosis. I sent my scans to a private firm and they proved this.

“I knew she was wrong, I had no symptoms.

“I had another scan in July and they confirmed I had no cancer.

“To say to someone you are only going to live two months and then be cancer-free now is why I want to help people.

“It has been horrendous and has changed my life completely. Telling someone they are going to die is horrible.”

After being given the diagnosis, Mr Edginton quit his job at the Royal Mail and started to get his affairs in order, explaining it was a “scary” time for him and his partner.

The scans the ex-Royal Mail worker sent to Ambia Health confirmed that Mr Edginton’s previous diagnosis was wrong, showing that he had been misdiagnosed by doctors at the Morecambe Bay Hospital Trust.

It was then he transferred his care to Royal Preston Hospital which he says he cannot fault the treatment there and has since been told he is cancer-free.

Mr Edginton added: “I cannot say better words about Royal Preston Hospital, they are careful, they are good.

“Everything is done in good standard appointments. I had all the scans, everything. It’s a completely different story.

“I think it’s more professional.”

Mr Edginton has complained to the Care Quality Commission about his treatment.

He has had a letter from the chief executive of Morecambe Bay Hospital Trust, Aaron Cummins, apologising for the misdiagnosis.

He said: “I would like to stress that the doctor was advising you appropriately on the basis of the information she had been provided in your scan report.

“I hope you are assured the Trust has carried out a thorough review of all the concerns you raised. However, if you feel there are outstanding issues we will endeavour to resolve these.

“The MRI brain scan taken on 9/2/2021 was reviewed by a team of radiologists at the radiology event and learning meeting.

“It was agreed that for the same reason as put forward by the doctor, it was not inappropriate to conclude that the appearance of the scan was suggestive of progressive cancer.

“Please accept my sincere apologies for the understandable distress and anxiety the scan report of 9/2/21 must have caused you.”

Mr Edginton has since written to his MP Tim Farron to highlight the issue and is wanting to help bring the issue to light in a bid to stop this happening to anyone else.

He continued: “I want to be sure the people in Cumbria are getting the best possible care.

“I want to help and warn people. I’m only 45, I’m not trying to punish the hospital, I’m just trying to warn and help people.”

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