Managers suspended over errors in cancer referrals

West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust said at least one person might have died as a result of the errors and 121 patients are yet to have their cases reviewed.

In one case where a patient died, the trust said it was thought a delay in seeing them might have contributed to their death.

The trust is in the process of contacting the family of a second patient who has since died. That patient had advanced cancer at the stage the initial referral was made.

In another case, a patient had their diagnosis delayed due to errors but their cancer was found at the earliest stage.

Overall, 810 people have had their cases reviewed. Of these, 686 have been told there are no clinical concerns about the care they received.

The trust is made up of Hemel Hempstead Hospital, Watford General Hospital and St Albans City Hospital.

The mistakes came to light when new managers found flaws in the process for patients being seen after referral by their GP or dentist.

Patients who missed their first appointment and were recorded as not showing up were discharged by the hospital. NHS rules say patients should always be offered a second appointment.

The patients had been referred for urgent appointments by doctors between January 2010 and November 2013.

The trust announced yesterday that a £40,000 external review is being carried out by four authorities, including NHS England and the Trust Development Authority.

It said it had offered patients “our apologies for any anxiety and distress” caused by the events and had implemented a new IT system to track each patient’s appointment, missed appointments and cancellations.

Trust chief executive Samantha Jones said: “I would like to apologise to each and every patient who has been affected and particularly to the relatives of those who have since died.

“We have of course made significant changes to help prevent this ever happening again and will share the outcome of our investigations with those affected and with the wider public.”