Widow Accuses Royal Stoke Hospital of Sending Husband to Early Death After Missed Cancer
A grieving widow has accused the NHS of sending her husband to a premature death after missing a critical opportunity to detect his lung cancer. Mark Shaw, a 54-year-old plasterer from Burslem, passed away in March 2023, and his widow Lesley Shaw, 64, believes he would have lived longer if the cancer had been spotted sooner.
Missed Diagnosis and Tragic Consequences
Mark Shaw suffered a stroke in August 2021 and received treatment, including a CT scan and X-ray, at Royal Stoke University Hospital. However, it was not until a follow-up CT scan in March 2022 that small-cell lung cancer was discovered. Shockingly, the cancer was evident on the initial 2021 scan but went unnoticed.
Lesley Shaw recounted a conversation with a doctor who apologized, showing the two scans taken seven months apart. "You can see the cancer on both," she said. "It was a hell of a lot smaller in the first than it was in the second. The tumour went from the size of a pea to the size of a tomato in seven months." The doctor admitted the cancer should have been caught earlier, stating it was "as clear as day" once pointed out.
Impact on Family and Treatment
After diagnosis, Mark was given two years to live and underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy. A former smoker, he passed away just five days before the birth of a grandchild he never met. Lesley described his bravery, saying, "He never showed that the cancer bothered him, he always put a brave face on for me." However, his health deteriorated rapidly in his final months, causing significant pain.
Lesley emphasized the missed opportunity, noting that earlier detection could have extended his life. "The doctor said we could have contained it more if they had caught it during the initial X-ray," she explained. "The outcome would have been the same, but he would have lived longer by around two to three years. If they did catch it, he could have still been here today. He would have met his grandchild."
Complaint and Hospital Response
Frustrated by the situation, Lesley filed a complaint, but the hospital denied liability. "They kept saying they weren't at fault," she said. "But they were at fault because they should have spotted it earlier. That would have meant Mark would have had more time to do what he enjoyed, and he also would have met his grandchild." She expressed her grief, adding, "It's been hard. I really, really miss him a lot. He was always there for me for 25 years."
Broader Investigation into Misdiagnosis Claims
An investigation by Medical Negligence Assist has uncovered 125 misdiagnosis claims lodged against University Hospitals of North Midlands (UHNM) NHS Trust, which operates Royal Stoke and County Hospital in Stafford, from 2019 to 2025. Of these, 80 claims were settled, with total damages amounting to £7.9 million. Some cases may have been settled without admission of liability.
In response, Royal Stoke chief medical officer Dr. Diane Adamson offered condolences, stating, "We offer our sincere sympathies to Mrs. Shaw and her family and remain committed to learning and improving our processes to ensure safe, high-quality care." This case highlights ongoing concerns about diagnostic accuracy and patient safety within the NHS.
