A CANCER patient was told by a health line operator he could not book a hospital appointment – because he was dead.

Alan Campbell, 63, has undergone three operations to treat skin cancer on his cheek and nose in the past six years.

When he started suffering from throat pains he became worried the disease may have spread so visited his doctor.

But after his GP gave him a code to arrange an appointment with the NHS Choose & Book system, a telephone operator informed him he could not set a date because their records showed he was 'deceased'.

NHS Blackburn with Darwen Teaching Care Trust Plus has now apologised for the error.

Mr Campbell, of Bay Street, Little Harwood, who has also survived a stroke and a heart attack, said: “I got a letter with the reference and rang on Saturday. I was told I could see a consultant on June 29.

“But then they said, 'Sorry, we can't give you an appointment, our records show you are deceased'.

“I said you're joking, I'm talking to you aren't I?' But they said 'you'll have to go back to your GP to get it sorted out'.

“I couldn't believe it. I was flabbergasted.

“I'm not one for complaining, but when somebody says you're dead it's not on.”

The former wagon driver said he contacted his GP surgery, Bangor Street Health & Resource Centre, Blackburn, on Monday and was told the problem had been resolved.

But when he rang Choose & Book, which has call centres in Chatham, Hedge End and Milton Keynes, he was once again told their records said he was deceased.

Mr Campbell said: “He kept saying go back to your GP and I said I've been there already. But he said it about four or five times.

“It's only three and a half years since I lost my wife Christine and it brought things back. It was very painful.”

His partner Barbara Sanderson, 60, said: “It was very upsetting. You don't expect to hear that.”

Mr Campbell said his surgery called him to apologise for the error and he was told a Choose & Book operator would contact him within the next 14 days to arrange an appointment with an oral and maxillofacial surgery specialist.

But he is angry he has missed the June 29 appointment and fears it means he won't be able to see somebody until next month, which could affect his diagnosis.

He said: “I've missed an appointment this month through their fault.

“I'm taking synthetic saliva and a liquid drink to ease the pain.

“When I wake up sometimes my mouth is that dry I can't open it properly to talk. I'm worried I won't wake up.

“They've been very good over the years at the surgery and the hospital, so I don't know what was the problem now.”

NHS Blackburn with Darwen Teaching Care Trust Plus, which runs the scheme locally, said it was trying to find as early an appointment as possible for Mr Campbell.

Janice Horrocks, executive director of Engagement Partnerships and Operational Development, said: “We are sorry for the distress experienced by this patient.

“We are currently holding a detailed investigation into the circumstances surrounding this case and are working with the patient to secure an appointment.

“ We would like to reassure patients that using the Choose and Book system, which allows you to choose the hospital, time and date of your appointment, remains the fastest route to getting the quickest and most convenient hospital appointment for the care that you need.”