A father-of-seven died eight months after discovering he had a terminal illness, a prognosis that hospital doctors had failed to disclose to him.
A Devastating Discovery
William Chapman was diagnosed with terminal pulmonary fibrosis at the Countess of Chester Hospital. However, clinicians did not inform him of his prognosis. He was instead reassured by a junior doctor that he would be "ok".
Mr Chapman only learned the truth when his GP, during a phone call, mentioned the terminal diagnosis under the mistaken belief he was already aware. This left him and his family with little time to prepare for his final months.
Ombudsman Uncovers Systemic Failures
An investigation by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) was launched following the family's complaint. The report, published on Thursday 4 December 2025, found a "worrying lack of accountability" at the hospital.
The PHSO cited multiple failures, including:
- Poor record-keeping.
- A failure to properly engage with Mr Chapman's family.
- An absence of learning from errors.
The Ombudsman emphasised that had Mr Chapman been informed earlier, he could have made crucial decisions about his remaining time. His family stated he would have stopped working to spend precious moments with them.
Apology and Compensation
The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has fully accepted the Ombudsman's findings. The trust has issued a formal apology to Mr Chapman's family.
As part of its response, the trust has agreed to implement recommended improvements to prevent a similar tragedy. It has also agreed to pay £1,200 in compensation to Mr Chapman's wife.
This case highlights critical breakdowns in communication and patient care within the NHS, with devastating consequences for families.
