Calderstones patient got correct cancer care, inquest told (From Lancashire Telegraph)
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Calderstones patient got correct cancer care, inquest told
11:30am Tuesday 19th March 2013 in News
AN INQUEST held into the death of a man who was detained in a mental health hospital has ruled that everything was done correctly to try and prevent his death.
Keith Allum, 57, who was held in a secure unit of Calderstones Hospital, Whalley, died on October 23 in the Royal Blackburn Hospital after a short battle with lung cancer.
Mr Allum, who was born in Burnley, had been detained at Calderstones hospital since 1994 after committing a sexual offence against a female with learning difficulties.
A jury at Clitheroe Town Hall yesterday heard that Mr Allum suffered from learning difficulties as well as a personality disorder and was deemed to be a risk to young children and females.
The hearing was held to determine if Mr Allum had access to appropriate medical treatment and whether he received adequate treatment. He was diagnosed with an aggressive form of small cell lung cancer last July after complaining of back pains and shortness of breath.
He was told the cancer was incurable and that treatment would only extend his life by 12 months. Dr Ajay Mehta, consultant oncologist, said: “Mr Allum had a chest x-ray after being referred from a GP at Calderstones in May and had the diagnosis confirmed in July and died in October. The cancer was widely spread and was incurable.
“He was told that he was unlikely to live beyond six months without treatment.
“The cancer can be treated effectively if caught early enough but it usually presents itself late. The diagnosis was quite usual and I don’t believe there were any missed opportunities for it to have been diagnosed.”
The inquest heard that he was given one dose of chemotherapy to manage the symptoms but he refused to have any more after getting adverse side-effects.
A jury of 11 people returned the verdict that Mr Allum had received access to appropriate medical treatment and was given appropriate treatment.
Comments(2)
ossym
says...
2:39pm Wed 20 Mar 13
He was a newish "graduate" of an foreign university, at a group prcatice in the area. It caused me a great deal of anguish, until eventually I was given the all clear.
This same practice charges 23p everytime you ring for an appointment, even if you only get an engaged tone! Great business model for them, but some people could suffer hardship run out of credits before they can book an urgent appointment.
sickofthisrubbish says...
4:21am Wed 20 Mar 13
There only in the job for the cash and the prestige.
After all they cremate there mistakes.
shipman, Kendell hospital, Blackburn hospital ( MRSA C diff ).
Plus that hospital down Manchester starving patients and bad care.
All cover ups, till they had to come clean.
And no ones got the sac or gone to jail except shipman.
They just keep there head down, and get a job in another area.
Old boys club GMC, look after their own.