The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is examining the service which gave a number of people unnecessary long-term cancer treatment, with debilitating side effects, at the University Hospitals of Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust (UHCW).
Patients say that they were given temozolomide, a chemotherapy drug which according to NHS guidelines should not be used for more than six months, while receiving cancer treatment at the hospital. Temozolomide is used to treat an aggressive form of brain tumour called a glioblastoma.
Needless treatment
Some of those affected say they received the drug for many years, one patient reported that he had been prescribed Temozolomide for more than 15 years. According to medical experts, long-term treatment with temozolomide risks secondary cancer, chronic liver problems and reinforces the fear of death.
To date a total of 14 people have raised concerns and Medical Negligence lawyers are worried that many more people could come forward. Since the first cases became known, many of whom were under the care of Professor Ian Brown at the time, lawyers have been quick to act.
After being reported to the General Medical Council, Professor Brown is now under interim restrictions, with conditions on his ability to practise and cannot prescribe, administer, or have primary responsibility for any chemotherapy drugs pending a full investigation.
Urgent internal review
In the meantime, the Trust has said that they are taking the allegations very seriously and stressed it was committed to providing the “best care” for its patients. They also confirmed that they are undertaking an internal review and, once it has been completed, they will consider what further steps may be necessary.
Rachael Flanagan, Head of Medical Negligence and Personal Injury at Alsters Kelley said. “We welcome this internal review. Transparency is essential for those who have been affected and of course necessary for making improvements to the quality of cancer care at UHCW going forwards.”
Ongoing health and wellbeing issues
Rachael continued. “Having any kind of cancer treatment is traumatic enough without finding out years later that it could have been avoided. In addition, the side effects from Temozolomide might also have left irreversible health and wellbeing issues.”
Rachael continued. “Both myself, and my colleague Senior Solicitor Haidee Vedy, have a huge amount of experience when it comes to medical negligence. If you have received substandard cancer care at UHCW, please get in touch. As medical negligence lawyers, it’s our job to recover necessary compensation for victims of negligence who may have suffered physical and/or psychological injury.”
Free initial meeting for support and advice
If you have any concerns about the treatment either you or someone you know has received and would like help or advice, please contact Rachael Flanagan on 01926 356030 or email rachael.flanagan@alsterskelley.com. We offer a free 30-minute appointment where we can support and guide you in the right direction. And thanks to our network of offices covering Coventry, Leamington, Nuneaton, Stratford-upon-Avon and Southam we are very accessible too.
Call now 01926 356 030 to arrange a free consultation with one of our experienced medical negligence lawyers at any of our six offices.
You can also join us at our Medical Negligence free drop-in sessions every third Wednesday of the month from our Nuneaton office.
Rachael Flanagan
Rachael’s role is to represent Claimant’s in Medical Negligence and Personal Injury claims and help her clients achieve the level of compensation they deserve. Rachael is also committed to ensure her client’s receive appropriate rehabilitation.
rachael.flanagan@alsterskelley.com