A hospital trust has admitted that a mother who died from cervical cancer would likely have been cured if not for a critical 15-month delay in diagnosing her disease, following a bungled smear test result.
Tragic Case of Missed Diagnosis
Kerry Pugh, a 48-year-old mother-of-three from Shrewsbury in Shropshire, passed away in June 2022 after what her family describes as an entirely preventable tragedy. Mrs Pugh had attended hospital for cervical screening after experiencing tell-tale symptoms for years, including irregular bleeding.
Despite her smear test showing several concerning cell changes, medical staff incorrectly reported her results as normal. This catastrophic error meant she was not referred for the specialist examination that would have identified her cancer at an early, treatable stage.
Devastating Progression of Disease
Approximately eighteen months after the erroneous all-clear, Mrs Pugh's symptoms intensified dramatically. She suffered from increased bleeding and developed pain in her coccyx area, prompting further investigation.
Tests revealed the devastating truth: she had advanced stage four cervical cancer. An MRI scan showed she had developed a large invasive tumour measuring 8cm by 5cm by 5cm - comparable in size to a bar of soap.
The tumour's substantial dimensions meant surgical removal was no longer a viable option. Mrs Pugh underwent an operation to have a stoma fitted and endured a gruelling course of radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment, but medical intervention came too late to save her life.
Family's Heartbreaking Loss
Mrs Pugh leaves behind her husband Stephen, aged 47, and their three children: Morgan, 26, Lily, 16, and Freddie, 13. The family's world has been irrevocably changed by her absence.
Mr Pugh, who works as a network support engineer, initiated legal action against the NHS trust following his wife's death, instructing lawyers to thoroughly investigate the standard of care she received.
'Words can't really capture the level of distress and suffering Kerry endured,' Mr Pugh stated. 'For months she knew something wasn't right, but nothing prepared us for when we were told she had stage four cancer.'
Hospital Trust Admissions
The University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust has formally admitted multiple failings in Mrs Pugh's case. Crucially, the trust acknowledged that had a correct diagnosis been made by the end of August 2018, Mrs Pugh's cancer would have been identified at stage one.
On the balance of probabilities, medical experts believe this earlier detection would have allowed for a radical hysterectomy that 'would have been cured' the disease. The family are now in line for a compensation payout following these admissions of negligence.
Mrs Pugh had previously been identified as having high-risk HPV, which is strongly linked to cervical cancer development. She began experiencing symptoms including bleeding during sex around 2017, but hospital checks at that time failed to determine a definitive cause.
Family's Tribute and Warning
Describing his wife as 'the most loving and caring wife and mum' who 'always put her family first,' Mr Pugh highlighted her remarkable strength during her illness. 'Even while experiencing the most awful pain, she tried to stay positive until the end, especially for the kids,' he recalled.
The grieving husband added: 'Kerry always saw the positive in everything, so if by speaking out, I can help save at least one person's life, Kerry's death won't have been totally in vain.'
He issued a poignant warning to other women: 'While Kerry was let down, other women shouldn't put off seeking medical help and attending screening appointments. It could be the difference between life and death.'
Legal and Medical Responses
Eleanor Giblin, the medical negligence lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing Mr Pugh, described this as 'a truly heartbreaking case' that has had 'a profound effect on Stephen and their children.'
'While nothing can make up for the suffering Kerry had to go through and the pain her loved ones continue to live with, we're pleased to have at least provided the family with the answers they deserve,' Ms Giblin stated.
She emphasised the importance of learning from this tragedy: 'While it's too late for Kerry, it's vital that lessons are learned from the worrying failings in this case to improve patient safety for others.'
Dr Simon Constable, chief executive at University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust, offered an official apology: 'We have apologised to Mr Pugh and his family that the standard of reporting failed to meet that which the Trust strives to provide.'
He continued: 'We recognise the importance of learning from mistakes of this nature and while UHNM no longer operates this screening service, we will do all we can to learn from this incident in relation to our wider laboratory services.'
The case highlights the critical importance of accurate screening and timely diagnosis in cervical cancer cases, where early detection dramatically improves survival rates and treatment outcomes.
