Mark Browne with his wife, Teresa. Photo: Lime Solicitors
A Lincoln doctor has admitted failings after he misdiagnosed a patient with piles instead of bowel cancer.
Lincoln man Mark Browne (46) died in 2012 after he was told in 2008 by Dr Nicholas Smith of Birchwood Medical Practice he had piles, and a rectal growth wasn’t spotted.
The Lincoln GP admitted liability at High Court in Nottingham in 2013, with Browne’s widow and three children receiving undisclosed compensation this week.
In court, it was heard that Dr Smith had not taken the patients’ symptoms into account, and had not carried out a proper examination.
The family solicitor added that had the growth been spotted, Mark Browne could have survived.
Dr Smith failed to comply with NICE Referral Guidelines because didn’t refer his patient to a cancer consultant within a fortnight.
It was only nine months later after symptoms persisted that Browne visited another GP and was referred to hospital.
The Browne family. Photo: Lime Solicitors
After radiation chemotherapy and surgery, Mark Browne died in August 2012.
Mark’s widow, Teresa Browne said: “Mark was a very hard-working, loving husband and father. We had been married for 17 years. When he was first diagnosed with bowel cancer it was a huge shock but he was determined not to give in.
“Just two months after the first operation in February 2010, he started training at the local gym because he was an active person who hated being stuck in the house.
“He insisted on returning to work as a road-builder in May even though the chemotherapy made him feel unwell.
“Follow-up appointments with the oncologist initially suggested Mark was in remission but our world was shattered when we were told in March 2011 that the cancer had spread to his lungs and it was not treatable.
“Mark continued to work for as long as he was able to but in the final months he became pretty much housebound.
“I gave up work and provided all his care, including washing him and changing his clothes and our elder daughter helped to run the house and look after her sister and younger brother.
“Mark slipped into a coma on 7th August 2012 and died in his sleep two days later.”
She added: “My husband put his complete trust in his GP and when he reassured him that there was nothing seriously wrong he believed him.
“In hindsight we both wished he’d got a second opinion or questioned the doctor again when things didn’t clear up. My advice to anyone in a similar situation is to insist on a second opinion or second examination – even if you think you are being a nuisance – rather than risk what happened to Mark.
“Doctors are only human – they’re not 100% infallible – and sometimes get things wrong. On this occasion our GP made the wrong call and by the time we found out it was too late for Mark.”
“I still grieve for my husband and it’s very painful for me to talk about what happened. However, I made a promise to Mark before he died that I would speak out and share his message that men should listen to what their bodies are telling them and act accordingly.”
Neil Clayton of Lime Solicitors said: “If Dr Smith had correctly referred Mark in December 2008, and Mark had been operated on shortly afterwards, it could have avoided the return of the tumour and he would in all likelihood still be alive today.
“Mark was a much-loved husband and father of three and was also a well known and respected member of his local community.
“He was a keen bodybuilder and to see such a fit and active person suffer a slow, painful and ultimately fatal illness was heartbreaking for all his family and friends.
“Although nothing will turn back the clock, today’s settlement will provide some financial help to the family he leaves behind.”
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A man has been arrested as police continue to investigate a shop burglary and subsequent car fire in Cleethorpes.
The burglary took place at a shop on St Peter’s Avenue in Cleethorpes at 7.30pm on Thursday, February 18.
It was reported that damage was caused to fencing at the back of the store and a man broke into the shop, stealing two cash registers.
A staff member was inside the shop at the time and left shaken by the incident, but was fortunately not injured.
A car, which was reported stolen in October last year, was found to have been set alight on Coulbeck Drive 15 minutes later. An item believed to be a cash register drawer was found inside.
Police said one man was arrested in connection with the reports. He was released under investigation whilst police continue their enquiries.
The force also published a CCTV image of a suspect, who they wish to speak to.
Anyone who recognises the man, or who saw a male setting a car alight in the area, should contact Humberside Police on 101 quoting log number 456 of February 18.
Alternatively, it can be reported through the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
The Triton Knoll wind farm off the Lincolnshire coast has successfully generated renewable electricity for the first time.
The project, which is located 32km off the Lincolnshire coast, is being constructed out of Able Seaton Port while operations and maintenance will be out of Grimsby.
This follows the installation of the first of the project’s 90 wind turbines in January 2021 and the successful energisation of the transmission system.
The wind farm will have a maximum installed capacity of 857 megawatts. Once fully operational it will be the most powerful in the global fleet of the electricity generation company RWE.
It will be capable of powering the equivalent of over 800,000 UK homes.
The first turbine installed at Triton Knoll.
Julian Garnsey, Project Director for Triton Knoll and RWE, said: “It’s fantastic to see Triton Knoll generating clean renewable electricity for the first time.
“I would like to thank the entire project team and all our supply chain partners for achieving this milestone safely and on time despite the significant challenges presented by the global pandemic.”
Flemming Ougaard, SVP, Head of Global Offshore & Construction at Vestas, said: “We are delighted that our V164-9.5 MW turbines are now generating first power at Triton Knoll.
“This project is a key milestone for Vestas, as we are installing some of the first 9.5 MW turbines off the UK coast with blades supplied from our Isle of Wight and Fawley facilities.
“With pre-assembly taking place at Able Seaton Port as well, this project is truly delivering for the UK, and powering UK homes with clean, offshore wind energy.”
The Offshore Transformer Module being delivered on Lincolnshire’s coast. | Photo: Triton Knoll
Almost 90% of children applying to Lincolnshire secondary schools will receive a place at their first choice.
Some 8,302 children applied this year, with 97% of all applicants receiving one of their three school preferences.
Some 87.8% (7,285) will receive a place at their first choice school. However, because of appeals and movement on the reserve list, it is likely that more children will be offered a place at their first choice school by the time they start in September.
Currently, 8.3% (686) have been offered a place at their second preference, with 1.1% (87) being given a spot at their third choice.
Some 243 children (2.9%) who haven’t got one of their preferred schools will be offered a place at the closest school in Lincolnshire with spaces available.
Parents have until 12pm on March 29 to lodge an appeal if they are unhappy with the offered school.
Councillor Mrs Patricia Bradwell, Executive Councillor for Children’s Services at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “It is good to see so many families receiving offers at their first preference school again and this figure is likely to be even higher by September.
“It is always our intention to support parents to make the application process as easy as possible and it is nice to see an increasing number of parents using the online parent portal to make their application and receive their offer on national offer day.”
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