GP Surgery Texts Patients Saying They Have Terminal Lung Cancer — On Christmas Eve!
Horrific Mix-Up at Askern Medical Practice
Instead of festive greetings, hundreds of patients at a GP surgery near Doncaster got a devastating Christmas Eve text. The message told them they had aggressive lung cancer with metastases — a terminal diagnosis no one wants to hear, especially via text.
The shocking message read: “A DS1500 for the above patient. Aggressive lung cancer with metastases.” The DS1500 form is for terminally ill patients applying for benefits, while “metastases” means the cancer has spread and is typically incurable.
Surgery Apologises for Crushing Error
Askern Medical Practice quickly issued a statement: “Please accept our sincere apologies for the previous text message sent. This was sent in error. We should have said to you, ‘We wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.’”
Patients Left In Tears and Terrified
One patient waiting on lung cancer test results broke down in tears after his partner couldn’t get through to the surgery on busy phone lines. He rushed to the health centre demanding answers. Thankfully, his results were negative.
Another shaken patient took to Facebook, saying they were “shaking and on the verge of tears.” They warned, “Something is clearly wrong at Askern Medical Practice.”
One furious patient said, “This is not the first time I’ve received this message. I was trembling and on the verge of tears. Several people at the surgery are reading the same text. I walked in near the surgery and said ‘what the hell?’”
Chaos and Panic in the Run-Up to Christmas
- Hundreds received false cancer diagnoses by text
- Patients struggled to get through on phone lines
- Emotional chaos and distrust fuelled among patients
- GP surgery admits humiliating and distressing mistake
This shocking Christmas blunder has left many patients terrified and furious. Askern Medical Practice must now rebuild trust after this catastrophic error.
