Deputy Health and Disability Commissioner says Te Whatu Ora Waikato did not share patient info of person who later diagnosed with cancer [Video]

Te Whatu Ora Waikato failed to pass on critical information about a patient’s X-ray results, who later died of cancer, the Deputy Health and Disability Commissioner has found.

Dr Vanessa Caldwell released her decision on the case this afternoon, finding the body previously known as the Waikato District Health Board had breached the woman’s right to be informed as stipulated in the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers’ Rights.

The patient’s general practitioner was also not told the result and the need for her to have follow-up scans.

The patient, only referred to in the decision as Ms A, was later admitted to hospital and diagnosed with metastasised cancer in her lungs, lymph nodes, liver and bones. Ms A died weeks later.

The issue began when Ms A visited her GP to check a lump on her neck. The doctor referred her for an ultrasound which found abnormal lymph nodes. An initial X-ray also found abnormalities.

Ms …