Margaret Jones, a mother of three and grandmother of ten, passed away in August 2024 after a long battle with lung cancer. The true cause of her persistent cough was not discovered until December 2023, despite a CT scan in February 2019 showing cause for concern in her right lung. By the time she was diagnosed with lung cancer, it had spread to her brain and bones, ultimately leading to her death at the age of 76. Margaret’s daughters are devastated and angry over the delay in her diagnosis, believing that if health providers GenesisCare had acted sooner, their mother might still be alive today.
Margaret had been referred to GenesisCare by Spire Hospital Portsmouth for oncology treatment, where she paid privately for her care. An area of concern in her right lung was identified in a preparatory CT scan in 2019, but this information was not escalated to her oncologist. In 2022, Margaret had an NHS chest X-ray after suffering from a continuous cough, which initially came back clear. However, it was later revealed that the tumor was visible on this scan as well. It wasn’t until December 2023, when Margaret sought medical attention for weight loss and a lack of appetite, that she received her lung cancer diagnosis and learned it could have been caught earlier.
GenesisCare has referred itself to the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and is conducting an internal investigation into what happened in Margaret’s case. However, lawyers for Margaret’s family claim that the investigation has been disrupted by a lack of an audit trail, missing medical records, and missing emails. Margaret’s daughters are calling for proper processes to be put in place to prevent similar tragedies from happening in the future. They want answers and accountability so they can ensure that the root cause of what happened to their mother is addressed.
Lung cancer is the most deadly common cancer in the UK, with around 49,000 people diagnosed and 35,000 dying from it every year. Symptoms can include a persistent cough, chest infections, coughing up blood, breathlessness, and fatigue. Smoking is a major risk factor for lung cancer, responsible for about 70% of cases. The NHS is rolling out more tests for smokers and ex-smokers at high risk to catch the disease earlier. Margaret’s family hopes that by sharing their mother’s story, they can raise awareness about the importance of seeking second opinions and being proactive in advocating for one’s health.
Slater and Gordon, the law firm supporting Margaret’s family, have described the failure to diagnose her lung cancer in a timely manner as shocking and tragic. They are committed to helping the family find answers and ensure that such failings do not happen again. GenesisCare has expressed their deepest condolences to Margaret’s family and friends and stated that the circumstances surrounding her passing are under investigation. Legal proceedings have been initiated, and the matter is now in the hands of lawyers. The family is determined to seek justice for Margaret and prevent other families from experiencing similar heartbreak.
