Nurse given cancer op in Wolverhampton's New Cross Hospital mix-up
A nurse who had breast cancer surgery at the hospital where she worked was told just days later there had been a mix up and that she had never had the disease.
Elizabeth Dawes, 39, a breast cancer nurse from Stafford, was told by Wolverhampton's New Cross Hospital in July 2013 that she had a grade 3 invasive breast cancer and required surgery and chemotherapy.
Doctors also suggested she should have a double mastectomy – which she refused – but she underwent extensive surgery to remove what was thought to be a cancerous tumour as well as lymph nodes from her armpit. She then had surgery to improve the appearance of her breasts.
But four days later the mother-of-one was told by her consultant that her medical notes had got mixed up with those of two other patients. She was so traumatised she had to give up her job at New Cross Hospital and has since been prescribed anti-depressants. She is still taking painkillers almost two years later.
"I am absolutely appalled at what I have been through and am still struggling to comprehend how this could even happen," she said.
"To be told you are facing aggressive cancer in your 30s is devastating and of course, I feared the worst and began making plans for my child and getting finances in order.
"I was willing to undergo whatever treatment it took to fight the cancer so when I was told I needed surgery, I didn't think twice.
"The doctor also told me I would need a bilateral breast lift, as otherwise, after having the cancer surgery I would be left deformed. I was very sore after the operation and shocked by the extensive scaring, so to be recalled four days later to be told none of it was necessary was truly horrendous. I am still in pain now, and the scarring has not improved which hugely affects my self-confidence.
"Nothing can make up for what has happened but I am determined to see justice done and feel I at least deserve an official apology from the Trust given the huge impact this has had on my life."
She now works in a nursing home and is taking legal action against the Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust.
Her lawyer, Louise Hawkley, of Irwin Mitchell, said: "We are pleased that the Trust has admitted that there were mistakes made during Elizabeth's treatment and we hope that the Trust will now work with us quickly and amicably to settle the case so she can begin the process of rebuilding her life."
The Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust was unavailable for comment.
