Clinical Negligence Article – Missing diagnosis or delays in a diagnosis (Kerry Mothersole)

The Times Newspaper reported the unfortunate passing of Kerri Mothersole, a mother of five, who died from endometrial cancer hours after being admitted into A&E following preventable delays in her diagnosis - Our mother wasn’t taken seriously — and died of cancer at 44 (thetimes.co.uk).

Kerri’s delay in diagnosis:

In May 2020 Kerri experienced symptoms of early menopause, with blood tests showing that she had low iron levels. Her symptoms persisted and in March 2021 she reported to her GP for vaginal bleeding that had occurred for over 6 weeks. Kerri struggled to attend ultrasound appointments because of family commitments and was eventually removed from the waiting list, despite rescheduling 2 of these appointments.

In June 2020 her GP referred her for an NHS ultrasound scan at a private clinic in Sittingbourne, where a radiographer (new to the private clinic), found a suspected ovarian mass. Despite this, the clinical lead deemed the scan results as ‘inaccurate’, so they were never returned to Kerri’s GP. She was asked to attend a second pelvic and abdominal scan instead, whilst suffering from persistent pain and weight loss.

The second ultrasound suggested a diagnosis of adenomyosis: a condition where the tissue that lines the uterus grows into the muscular walls of the uterus, thickening, breaking down and bleeding during each menstrual cycle. However, the scan report stated that a “more serious pathology couldn’t be ruled out.”

Kerri received a referral to gynaecology, but the GP had made another referral to a colorectal team to treat colon and stomach cancers at the NHS Kent and Medway Cancer Alliance on the urgent two-week waiting list. Despite the various gynaecological symptoms Kerri presented, she underwent what turned out to be a clear colonoscopy.

Eventually, a large mass in her pelvis was found during a CT scan and Kerri was referred to the multidisciplinary team at the Medway Maritime Hospital. Kerri’s family were assured that the mass was likely a benign fibroid. An appointment was booked for Kerri to see a gynaecologist, but she never received a letter. After being transferred to the care of Maidstone Hospital, Kerri underwent a hysterectomy to remove her uterus.

During the 19th of August 2022, Kerri was admitted to Medway Maritime Hospital via ambulance, where she had a scan and was told that she had two weeks to live. Unfortunately, Kerri had developed brain metastasis and passed away in the early hours of the following morning.

A coroner’s inquest into Kerry’s death stated that “she died as a consequence of endometrial cancer, the diagnosis of which was delayed due to a number of factors”.

It was established that only the second ultrasound report from July 2020 was sent to her GP, not the first from June 2020 and neither report was uploaded to her clinical notes at Medway Maritime hospital. Had the images and the reports been available to her treating clinicians then it is likely a referral would have been warranted much more urgently by her GP and she may have been investigated and treated at a much earlier stage which could have prevented Kerri’s sudden death.

Clinical Negligence claims:

Any failings like those discussed above could be considered negligent. Illnesses like cancer, can be commonly misdiagnosed or diagnosed late and tend to have symptoms that are difficult to detect or be mistaken for another issue. A delay in diagnosis or missed diagnosis can have serious consequences. If it transpires that an earlier intervention would’ve made a difference to the outcome, there may well be the potential for a clinical negligence claim which will entitle you to the compensation you deserve. Expert evidence will usually be required in order to prove this.

What can we do?

Here at Forbes our specialist clinical negligence team have experience of dealing with these types of cases. According to a Cancer Research UK study in 2019, one in four cancer patients experience delay in a diagnosis that could have been avoided. If you, a friend or loved one have been unfortunate enough to suffer with a significant delay in the diagnosis or misdiagnosis of a disease like cancer, please contact one of the team for some no-win, no fee, no obligation advice.