Health board criticized for misdiagnosing patient with terminal cancer in Lanarkshire

A patient in Lanarkshire was misdiagnosed with a chest infection and sent home, only to later be found to have terminal lung cancer. The Scottish Public Services Ombudsman criticized the NHS for failing to provide timely care and notify the family of the patient's deteriorating condition. The patient initially visited their GP multiple times and was treated for Covid and an infection. After being re-admitted, they were diagnosed with cancer, but the family was not informed of the patient's decline until it was too late for proper visits. The ombudsman found that the health board did not conduct necessary tests and failed to provide adequate care. Recommendations include better communication with families and improved treatment protocols for similar cases. NHS Lanarkshire has been asked to apologize.