A HOSPITAL trust has apologised unreservedly for failing to provide adequate care which led to the death of a Winsford mum.
The woman died in April 2020 from a very rare form of cancer.
Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which runs facilities such as Leighton Hospital in Crewe and Northwich's Victoria Infirmary, has admitted liability for her death.
Doctors discovered a lump four years prior to her death when she went for a routine pregnancy check-up.
However, despite plans being made to investigate it further after she gave birth to her son they were not followed through.
The trust says it ‘sincerely regrets its failings on this occasion’.
They say 'systems have been reviewed and updated' to prevent similar incidents happening in the future.
Legal papers made public at the High Court in London confirm the trust is to pay out £950,000 compensation.
The sum is to be paid into the woman’s estate and will be used for the upbringing of her son, among other things.
The papers say that by the time she was finally diagnosed, it was too late for her as the cancer had spread to her lungs and collar bone.
Experts say had the cancer been diagnosed when the lump was originally detected, it would probably have been treatable with surgery and other therapy.
A spokesperson for Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: “We unreservedly apologise to the family of the woman and accept the care provided to her fell below the standard she was entitled to receive.
"The trust strives to provide care of the highest quality possible to all its patients and sincerely regrets its failings on this occasion.
"The results of the investigation into this case have been shared with clinicians to prevent similar incidents in the future and the trust’s diagnostic systems have also been reviewed and updated.
"Once again, we would like to pass on our condolences to her family for their tragic loss.”
- Due to a last-minute order from the High Court, The Guardian is prevented from identifying those involved.
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