Mother's cancer treatment delayed by nine-month test backlog

An inquest found that Sarah Catherine Daniels, a mother from Porth, died from aggressive cancer after a nine-month delay in receiving her pathology test results, which likely impacted her treatment and length of life. The coroner deemed the delay "unacceptable." The delay occurred because the health board's pathology department was overwhelmed by a backlog caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. A consultant stated the delay reduced the chance of successful chemotherapy, and a Risk of Malignancy Index was "incorrectly reassuring" to her family. Sarah sought private treatment and received chemotherapy, but her condition declined, and she died on 15 April 2025. The coroner recorded a narrative conclusion, apologizing to her family, and noted the health board has since established a better framework to prevent future backlogs.