A grieving son says the NHS ‘fobbed off’ his father after a surgery ‘would not’ send a doctor to a 78-year-old cancer patient before he died because of the coronavirus lockdown.
Old Kilpatrick Medical Practice in West Dunbartonshire, Glasgow, ‘refused’ to send a doctor to Stuart Cameron, 78, who died of a heart attack brought on by lung cancer.
Stuart Cameron’s son, also Stuart, said: ‘I’d sat up all night with my dad holding his hand because he was quite frightened, and I was taking my dad up the stairs for a shower when all of a sudden he couldn’t lift his leg.
‘I said: “Are you all right Dad?” and as I picked him up I looked at his face and saw his eyes rolling back.
‘He’d obviously taken a heart attack in my arms and died while I was carrying him.
‘I put him back in his chair and that was that.’
Stuart Cameron, 78, died of a heart attack brought on by lung cancer after Old Kilpatrick Medical Practice in West Dunbartonshire, Glasgow, ‘would not’ send a doctor to him because of the coronavirus lockdown
The grieving son said that he contacted the surgery over his father’s deteriorating condition after he lost a lot of weight, was lethargic and had night-time coughing fits.
Mr Cameron had previously had 40 per cent of his lung removed and had suffered scarring and inflammation of the lungs which increases the risk of lung cancer after working in the shipbuilding industry and as a plumber.
But the 78-year-old was told he had acid reflux and was only diagnosed correctly after a CT scan on April 16 five days before he died.
The Cameron family plan to sue NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde because they believe Stuart Cameron had been misdiagnosed after he went to the doctors with a cough in September last year.
In February Mr Cameron had a CT scan and a bronchoscopy to look at his lungs both of which showed no cancer.
He had a full biopsy scheduled but it was cancelled because of coronavirus.
The family requested that Mr Cameron go to hospital in March but he was sent home with medicine for acid reflux after two days.
Mr Cameron was taken to hospital again three weeks later and was sent home with medicine for a chest infection after two days.
On April 15 Mr Cameron’s son phoned their surgery about his father’s worsening condition.
‘Without seeing him they said there was nothing else they could do,’ said the devastated son.
The surgery’s respiratory consultant phoned Mr Cameron’s son and said he thought the cancer was back but Mr Cameron was too weak for chemotherapy.
Stuart Cameron thinks the NHS did not treat his father properly because ‘they didn’t want to be blamed for sending him to hospital’.
Stuart cameron was taken to hospital twice after his symptoms worsened but he was sent home after two days both times with medication for acid reflux and a chest infection
Mr Cameron’s family believe that the heart attack could have been prevented if the NHS acted quicker.
‘I don’t want anyone else going through what we have, but I know that they are,’ said Mr Cameron.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde conveyed their sympathies to Mr Cameron’s family and said: ‘We can assure them that Mr Cameron received all appropriate tests, and within appropriate timescales given Mr Cameron’s medical history.
‘Sadly Mr Cameron’s condition deteriorated very rapidly in just a few months.’
Mr Cameron’s GP, Old Kilpatrick Medical Practice, said they cannot comment on any patient’s medical details but sent their condolences to the family.
They said: ‘During the current Covid-19 situation the practice remains open.
‘In order to protect our patients and staff we are primarily dealing with patients’ concerns by telephone and video link.
‘However, where a patient needs to be seen, this will happen at the practice or their home.
‘The practice continues to closely adhere to guidance and advice provided by the Scottish Government and NHS GGC.’
Senior doctors and World Health Organisation’s former cancer chief warned Matt Hancock that cancer treatment would not be able to be maintained during the coronavirus pandemic.
This is because most specialist treatment equipment, like ventilators and anaesthetists, is being used to fight coronavirus.
As a result the NHS is working to link with private hospitals to fill in where the NHS does not have the resources to treat cancer patients.
The Royal College of Radiologists, which represents 1,500 cancer doctors, said decisions were being made ‘case by case’ on whether to postpone chemotherapy or radiotherapy.