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"Dismissed an elderly person."

About: Camborne Redruth Community Hospital / Carn Brea ward CATU Manor Surgery Royal Cornwall Hospital (Treliske) / Emergency Department South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust / Emergency ambulance South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust / NHS 111

(as a relative),

My MIL had bowel cancer in September 2024, no further treatment than removal & stoma. She became severely ill in February this year with back ache. She was dismissed by Treliske A&E as old age, sent home with codeine. Later dismissed by her GP for the same reason now that was in the system after it continued. 111 and by paramedics dismissed her for the same reason.

After finally being admitted to hospital and properly examined, after awful ridicule from paramedics for phoning 999 my mother in law was diagnosed with cancer in the spine, she passed away just over 2 weeks later. I will never forget how all of you treated us when we needed you the most.

I told every medic we were in contact with during this she had bowel cancer last year, and we had been told by her consultant they did no preventative treatment, and she had a high risk of reoccurrence, and no one listened to us.

We were told by the doctors at Barncoose Hospital the staff at Treliske A&E did not follow procedure for someone with her history to check for reoccurrence, and because of that, they missed it had returned, and sent her home stating back ache.

I know her final outcome would have been no different, but she was sent home crying in pain, falling because of the cancer on her spinal cord, and begging me to stop the pain. I will never forgive Treliske A&E, 999 paramedics and her GP for the way we were dismissed as an old person with back ache.

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Responses

Response from Chris Hocking, Patient EDI Officer and Engagement Co Ordinator, Patient Experience, Royal Cornwall Hospital yesterday
Chris Hocking
Patient EDI Officer and Engagement Co Ordinator, Patient Experience,
Royal Cornwall Hospital
Submitted on 02/05/2025 at 11:13
Published on Care Opinion at 12:00


picture of Chris Hocking

Hello IgnoredFamily,

My name is Chris and I am from the Patient Engagement Team. We would like to take this opportunity to thank for for sharing your experience with us.

We are deeply sorry to hear of the missed opportunities reported, and extend our sincere condolences to you and your family.

Regarding your complaint about the Emergency Department, we would ask that you get in touch with the Royal Cornwall Hospital directly by emailing our complaints team on rch-tr.complaints@nhs.net or call on 01872 252793. This will enable us to find out as much information as possible and investigate what happened so that we can learn from this very upsetting incident and improve our service. The complaint officers are a very empathetic team and will support you through the complaints process.

Kind regards,

Chris

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