Bognor mum Noreen Wileman's shock over terminal lung cancer

Noreen Wileman was coughing up blood and went for a scan at St Richard’s Hospital in Chichester in 2015 but did not find out she had lung cancer until 2018.

The cancer was in stage four by the time it was diagnosed - and her lawyers say her life expectancy was “significantly reduced” due to the delay.

Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust admitted the blunder that could have seen her diagnosed 35 months earlier than she eventually was.

Ms Wileman, 68, of Middleton near Bognor, is calling for lessons to be learned from her experience.

She said: “I’m not sure what the future will hold for me and my family but I just hope that by speaking out I can help others.

St Richards Hospital Chichester

“People need to see a doctor as soon as possible if they think there’s something wrong with them, ensure they receive their results, and if needs be, don’t take no for an answer and seek a second opinion.”

The mum-of-three first reported her symptoms to her GP in May 2015 and was referred to hospital for a CT scan, which showed “abnormalities”.

She went back as an outpatient in July 2015 to discuss the results with blood tests ordered - but no further scans were arranged.

Ms Wileman’s symptoms, which also included aching and painful muscles and joints, continued to deteriorate.

She and her GP contacted the hospital for the clinic letter from July 2015 but it was not forthcoming.

After further investigations and scans in November 2018, she was diagnosed as having stage four lung cancer.

Noreen Wileman has terminal lung cancer

She said: “When I was given the news I had cancer I was just in complete shock.

“When I started attending hospital appointments in 2015 I was slightly concerned but at no point was I ever given the impression that anything major was wrong with me.”

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Ms Wileman, who lives with partner Mike Potter, 80, has now had to endure painful and “invasive” chemotherapy treatment.

She said: “The worst part for me has been seeing how my family are suffering.

“It’s very hard as I consider myself to be a very mentally strong person and I can cope with things, but seeing the worry on their faces is very difficult."

Noreen Wileman pictured here with partner Mike Potter in Bognor

Ms Wileman instructed expert medical lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate her care.

Health chiefs admitted that if further follow up scans had been arranged, the cancer would have been diagnosed by January 2016.

Irwin Mitchell lawyer Eleanor Phipp said: “Noreen is understandably devastated by her diagnosis and what it means for her and her family.

Noreen Wileman pictured here with her three children

She said: “While worrying issues have been admitted in Noreen’s case, it is vital people continue to seek medical advice at the earliest opportunity if they are concerned about their symptoms.

“People should also continue to participate in screening programmes.

“While nothing can make up for what has happened to Noreen, we’re pleased that we’ve been able to provide Noreen with the answers she deserves regarding her diagnosis and welcome the Trust’s admissions.”

Medical director at Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Dr Tim Taylor said: “We would like to take this opportunity to apologise again to Mrs Wileman. The care we provided in 2015 fell short of our usual high standards and we deeply regret the delay to her diagnosis.

“We are all extremely sorry for the impact this has had on Mrs Wileman and her family. We hope the early admission of liability means their claim can now be swiftly resolved to help ease their pain at this difficult time.”