Former Stafford hospital worker, 83, has terminal asbestos-related cancer

A former cleaner at a West Midland hospital has asked lawyers to investigate after being diagnosed with asbestos-related cancer.

Glenis Peet, of Stafford, has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, a terminal form of cancer usually of the lining of the lung associated with asbestos exposure, often decades previously.

She believes being exposed to ceiling tiles could be a possible cause of her illness.

Following her diagnosis, the 83‑year‑old instructed lawyers specialising in asbestos‑related diseases to investigate where she was exposed to the asbestos.

Mrs Peet, a grandmother-of-two, spent more than 20 years working at St George’s mental hospital in Stafford.

She and her legal team are now appealing for information on conditions she faced at the site.

A devoted full‑time carer for her husband Michael, known as John, Mrs Peet began experiencing breathlessness around April last year.

Following tests, she was diagnosed with mesothelioma the following month. She now has a permanent drain fitted to her lung.

She said: “When I started experiencing symptoms, I knew something was not right, but nothing prepared me for the news I had cancer. Hearing those words was devastating.

“Before them my focus had always been on my family and our home, so coming to terms with this diagnosis and its impact has been incredibly difficult.”

Mrs Peet said while she tried to keep as active as she could, the illness was having an impact on her life.

“Things I used to take for granted are becoming harder and I tire easily,” she said.

“I worked hard to help provide for my family and took pride in my job, but I’m now left wondering whether I was unknowingly exposed to something that’s caused this illness many years later.

“I can’t change what’s happened, but I do want answer, not just for me, but for my children and grandchildren. I’m trying to spend as much time as I can with them.

“If anyone remembers working at the hospital or has information about what went on there, I would be so grateful if they could get in touch.”

Jasmine Hunte, a specialist lawyer in asbestos-related disease at law firm Irwin Mitchell, said the diagnosis was a devastating reminder of the terrible legacy of asbestos the effects which are often only realized years after exposure has occurred.

“While asbestos is often associated with heavy industry, its use was widespread in public buildings, including hospitals,” she said.

“Glenis and her loved ones are devastated by what her diagnosis means for the future. Understandably they have a number of questions about her asbestos exposure.”

Mrs Peet started working at the hospital in the early 1980s as a housekeeper, helping to clean wards and public areas across the site.

In the mid‑2000s she was promoted to supervisor, a role which involved overseeing cleaning standards and regularly attending the wards, including when maintenance work was being carried out.

She recalls tradesmen frequently removing suspended ceiling tiles to access ceiling voids, with cleaners then expected to carry out thorough clean‑ups afterwards. She believes asbestos was present at the time.

She would also see and talk to maintenance department workers, who were still wearing dusty work overalls, in the canteen. Many of the buildings she worked in have since been demolished.

Husband John also worked as a driver and porter at St George’s Hospital for the final 16 years of his career.

Mrs Peet has a daughter Jackie Reid, 54, and son Nicholas Peet, 52, and is grandmother to Moses, 19, and Elijah, 16.

Midland Partnership University Foundation NHS Trust, which runs St George’s Hospital, declined to comment.

Mrs Peet asked anyone with information to contact Jasmine Hunte at Irwin Mitchell on 0121 214 5473 or email [email protected]