Scots grandad left with prosthetic voice box after GP dismissed cancer as 'sinus problems'

Daily Record

2 days ago

Steve Barton, 68, repeatedly contacted his local practice after he began struggling with his breathing and swallowing.
A Scots grandad has been left needing a prosthetic voice box to speak after GPs dismissed his throat cancer as "sinus problems".
Steve Barton, 68, repeatedly contacted his local practice after he began struggling with his breathing and swallowing. But despite his concerns, doctors continued to put his symptoms down as reflux.
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Weeks after an initial appointment Steve's voice changed and he reached out again. At that point, the practice failed to issue an urgent referral to a specialist.
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It wasn't until five months later – when things got so bad that Steve went private – that a tumour was discovered on his larynx and he was rushed to have part of his throat removed.
Steve, from Alloa in Clackmannanshire, was forced to retire early from his career as a heating engineer and now has a permanent hole in his neck. The hole impacts his speech, daily tasks and social life.
Steve said: 'I used to work hard, go line dancing, played golf and take the grandkids swimming but I can barely do any of that now. I can't allow water to get in the stoma in my neck or it could enter my lungs – the risk of drowning in the bath or shower is so serious that my wife has to accompany me .
'Then of course there's simply not talking normally and people staring. Angry, sad, frustrated, deflated, confused… I've felt everything you can feel. This whole affair changed everything about my life but the way the GP practice treated me – and ignored me – was simply disgusting.'
Insurers for Tor Medical Group at Plean near Stirling, which owns the practice, have admitted liability after Steve got help from law firm Irwin Mitchell. A compensation sum is due to be agreed for the grandfather in the near future.
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The legal action against the firm alleges that Steve – who was a non-smoker - first contacted his GP in August 2020 after three months of documented issues of a sore throat and pain in his ear. One GP prescribed omeprazole after diagnosing acid reflux.
One month later Steve was put in touch with a second GP and a nurse considered an Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) referral but decided to treat themselves. After a few more weeks, the grandfather was told by Tor staff that they would make a referral.
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However, apparently due to 'human error', it didn't take place. In November 2020 Steve finally got a referral to the ENT but he was added to the non-urgent two-week waiting list.
By January the following year, Steve was in so much pain and distress that he sought a private referral at Kings Park Hospital in Stirling where an ENT consultant spotted a lesion suspicious of cancer of the larynx. Steve then underwent a procedure to remove his entire voice box at Forth Valley Hospital.
As a result, he has a stoma in his neck which he breathes through. The device needs to be cleaned and maintained up to 10 times per day. Everyday tasks like coughing, eating and washing have become problematic for the grandfather.
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Steve said: 'I try to stay positive and focus on what I've still got to be grateful for but it's tough because I remember what I had and who I was compared to the future I now have to accept which we never planned for.'
His devoted wife of 17 years Heather Barton, 62, who works as a hairdresser and line dancing instructor, added: 'The GPs blamed each other, even the receptionist and a malfunctional computer. It felt like they just didn't care. Steve's life changed forever overnight.
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"It's been a long journey for Steve. If the GP surgery just said 'Yep, you're right, I'm sorry' we'd have moved on but we were met with a wall of silence so we had no option but to get help because Steve didn't deserve this.
'We're glad we got an admission of fault – someone to accept that what happened to Steve was wrong or negligent
'We trust our doctors and follow their guidance but if someone feels wrong then people can't be afraid to challenge the advice and use our right to a second opinion. With that in mind, we'd like to thank the staff at Forth Valley Hospital 's ENT Department who have looked after Steve and will likely continue to do so for the rest of his life.
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'We're still lucky. We still have each other and we're together. But we feel like Tor robbed Steve and I of what were meant to be our relaxing years after a life of hard work and impacted his physical and mental health so it's right they are held accountable.'
A medical negligence claim was lodged in the National Personal Injury Court where Steve's lawyers argued if he was treated properly from the start then it was likely he would never have needed such extensive surgery.
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An admission of liability was later received from the Medical and Dental Defence Union Scotland – a b ody which indemnifies GPs across Scotland – and the case continues to ensure a fair sum of compensation is secured.
Izabela Wosiak, Senior Associate at Irwin Mitchell in Edinburgh, said: 'What happened to Steve was traumatic and life-changing but what's worse is how avoidable it was. Medical negligence claims are complex and many people feel scared challenging a health board but when people have been affected like this – and feel ignored by those they believe are responsible – it's right that they have a way to protect what future they have left, and help improve standards for others.
'Although the defenders have admitted liability in this action the case is still very much ongoing so it wouldn't be appropriate to comment further.'