A grandfather's life was tragically cut short after surgeons removed his perfectly healthy lung based on a catastrophic false cancer diagnosis, an investigation has revealed.
The Fatal Misdiagnosis
Dennis Jackson, 77, underwent major surgery to remove his entire left lung at Royal Stoke University Hospital after doctors mistakenly identified what they believed was malignant cancer. The devastating truth emerged only after the procedure - there had never been any cancer present.
The retired BT engineer from Stoke-on-Trent never recovered from the unnecessary operation and passed away just five months later, leaving his family shattered and demanding answers.
A Family's Heartbreaking Ordeal
Mr Jackson's daughter, Sarah, described the family's torment as they watched her previously active father deteriorate rapidly following the surgery. "He went from being independent and full of life to completely dependent on others for everything," she revealed.
The University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust has now admitted full liability for the catastrophic error that cost Mr Jackson his life.
Systemic Failures Uncovered
An internal investigation uncovered multiple failures in Mr Jackson's care:
- Inadequate review of medical scans before surgery
- Failure to conduct proper diagnostic procedures
- Lack of oversight in the decision-making process
- Communication breakdown between medical teams
Medical experts confirmed that Mr Jackson would likely have lived for many more years had the disastrous operation not taken place.
Seeking Justice and Reform
The Jackson family is now calling for systemic changes within the NHS to prevent similar tragedies. "We don't want any other family to go through this nightmare," Sarah Jackson stated.
The case has raised serious questions about diagnostic protocols and surgical approval processes within the UK's healthcare system, particularly concerning elderly patients.
An inquest into Mr Jackson's death is scheduled for next month, where hospital authorities are expected to outline the specific measures being implemented to prevent recurrence of such devastating errors.
