A relative of the man who founded the NHS died after a “life-threatening mistake” made by two NHS trusts, an inquest has heard.
Roderick Bevan, the great-nephew of Nye Bevan, died last year after doctors at two hospitals failed to notify him about a lung tumour, the family’s solicitor said.
The tumour was identified during a PET scan at Boston Pilgrim Hospital in October 2016.
Despite further appointments at that hospital, as well as the University Hospitals of Leicester Trust, Mr Bevan was not told he had lung cancer until January 2018.
By that time, the 66-year-old’s condition had deteriorated such that he was no longer a candidate for active treatment, according to the narrative verdict recorded at his inquest.
The verdict added that Mr Bevan could have been treated successfully if the results of the initial PET scan had been acted upon promptly.
He died in May 2018 just four months after being told he had lung cancer.
Mr Bevan’s daughter Paula said her father had been totally let down by the NHS and she was sure he would be appalled by his treatment.
She added: “No one deserves to be let down like this and my dad had such a big heart and even when he was suffering.
Considering the trusts had already admitted liability beforehand, I would have expected a certain amount of support from the trusts due to the neglect and poor care of my father.
Andrew Furlong, medical director at Leicester’s Hospitals, said the trust was incredibly sorry” for Mr Bevan’s death under tragic circumstances.
He added that significant improvements had since been made to processes in order to avoid such an incident happening again.
He said: This includes any patient with suspected cancer appearing on a daily list (tracking system) which is visible to key clinicians and managers across the organisation.
Dr Neill Hepburn, medical director at United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust, also offered his condolences to Mr Bevan’s family, and said a full investigation had been carried out.
He added: We have learned from this and have reviewed our practices and procedures.
The coroner eventually concluded that Mr Bevan died by natural causes of which neglect had been a contributor.
Lawyers advising Mr Bevan’s family said this outcome was the best that we could have hoped for, adding that it reflected that his death could certainly have been avoided.