'Hypochondriac' mum sent home from A&E twice told she has cancer

Laura Sims-Thickett, 40, went twice to the Royal Stoke University Hospital's accident unit with excruciating back pain in late 2021. But blood tests did not spot the cancer and Laura was twice sent home.

It was three weeks later when Laura, who also has cerebral palsy, was found to have actually broken three vertebrae. She was also diagnosed with the blood cancer myeloma.

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Her husband Paul, also 40, has now hit out at his wife's delayed diagnosis.

He said: "They just dismissed her as a hypochondriac with back pain. She knew something was wrong and she couldn't get anyone to believe her. We couldn't get across the seriousness of the pain she was in. Nobody listened to us."

The married couple said other issues have later included Laura being sent home without her chemotherapy tablets, developing a pressure sore at home, and missing out on stem cell treatment due to the pressure sore.

Laura's cancer levels increased further last Christmas, Stoke on Trent Live reports.

Paul added: "I could agree with them that covid had an effect on things but 12 months later the same things are going wrong. What's the excuse this time round? Every time we have to go up there's always something.

"It's never straightforward, whether it's missed prescriptions, late appointments, there's always shortcomings along the line where people are not doing their job right.

"Those first 12 months hit her hard. She had never smoked, never taken drugs, and we don't drink, and then to be told she's got this life condition that will eventually kill her at the end of it all.

"We didn't explain to our daughter what was going on, just that she was having treatment for her blood. It has taken its toll emotionally, physically and financially."

It comes as Paul faces being made redundant after 20 years in the same job. He has set up a GoFundMe appeal which has so far raised more than £3,000.

He added: "As Laura's carer I would get £97-a-week. It's not even going to cover my energy bill. We've got no income and barely any savings. The GoFundMe is to help with the bills."

Laura and Paul are unhappy with the care provided by the Royal Stoke as well as Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (MPFT) which provides community care.

Royal Stoke chief nurse Ann-Marie Riley said: "We will always aim to deliver the highest standards of care possible and apologise if they have not been met. We will investigate when patients and families raise concerns about the care provided in our hospitals, to resolve any issues and see if there are lessons to be learnt. We would encourage Mr Sims-Thickett to speak to our patient advice and liaison team who can provide support."

An MPFT spokesperson said: "Although we cannot comment about individual patients without their permission, when a patient is admitted into the care of the community nursing team a full assessment of need is carried out together with the patient and their carer to determine appropriate treatment and care.

"Assessing the patient's risk of developing pressure damage is the first step in pressure ulcer prevention. Once a level of risk has been identified, then the correct advice, plan of care, treatment, and equipment to suit individual needs can be provided with the agreement of the patient. Trust staff will work closely with the patient and their carer to minimise the risk of or exacerbation of skin breakdown.

"We are sorry Mr Sims-Thickett is not happy with the care provided to his wife and we are always happy to address any concerns about the care we provide via our patient advice and liaison service."

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