We were instructed by the daughter of a lady who sadly died at the age of 71. Altered bowel habit for more than 6 weeks in a lady over 60 should have warranted a referral under NICE guidelines by the GP/practice nurse.

Unfortunately, a delay in referral for investigations and treatment meant that the cancer became more invasive and our experts concluded that this delay ultimately caused her death the following year. Had she been referred earlier, prompt surgery would have saved her life.

A case was pursued against a GP and nurse practitioner based in Leeds. Liability was initially denied although breach of duty was later admitted on behalf of the nurse practitioner. It was denied that the delay had caused the death, but the matter was subsequently settled for £45,000.