The Trust admitted that had the sample been correctly reported as high-grade moderate or severe changes, Amie would have been referred for follow-up consultation and treatment within two to six weeks
A mum-of-two was diagnosed with cervical cancer after bungling hospital staff gave her the wrong smear test results. Amie Wood, 39, was forced to undergo a life-changing hysterectomy after being diagnosed more than two years after her result was incorrectly recorded as normal.
The teaching assistant underwent a smear test at a Wolverhampton hospital in October 2019 – but the outcome was “misreported” by staff. Amie was diagnosed with cervical cancer in January 2022 and a subsequent NHS audit found the smear result had shown abnormal changes.
As a result, she contacted medical negligence lawyers to take legal action against Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust. The Trust has since admitted a breach of duty in Amie’s care and apologised for giving her “incorrect” test results.
The Trust accepted if the smear – which showed moderate to severe high grade cell changes – had been correctly reported, Amie would have been referred within weeks for excision treatment. This would have avoided the development of cancer and the need for a hysterectomy.
READ MORE: Dad who used 3-month-old baby to brush snow off car ‘for TikTok views’ likely to face charges
Amie, of Bewdley, Worcs., has now spoken of her anger and revealed for the first time about the impact cancer has had on her life. She said: “Before the cancer, I’d always struggled a bit with anxiety over my health.
“Because of that, I always made sure I went to all my appointments and never had any reason to question the results I was given as I had faith in the medics. To be diagnosed with cervical cancer and undergo a hysterectomy was heart-breaking enough but then I found out that my smear results had been misreported and it could have all been avoided.
“To this day, I still struggle to comprehend everything I’ve been through and how close my children could have been to losing their mum. It’s made my anxiety and worries even worse, which I didn’t think was possible.
“It’s also deeply upsetting that the choice of having more children has been taken from me. At the same time though, I know how lucky I am to still be here and just want to let people know if you’re going through something similar, there is support out there.”
Amie’s original smear results came back as high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) Amie was advised to return for repeat screening in 12 months’ time. Follow-up tests in October 2020 and October 2021 found persisting HPV and Amie was referred for further investigation including a colposcopy and biopsy.
After being diagnosed with cancer, she instructed lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate her care under the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust. Through NHS Resolution, the Trust admitted liability and a breach of duty in care, in that the result given was “incorrect.”
It further admitted that had the sample been correctly reported as high-grade moderate or severe changes, Amie would have been referred for follow-up consultation and treatment within two to six weeks.
Following her diagnosis, Amie, who is mum to daughters, underwent a hysterectomy which means she is not able to have any more children as planned with her new partner.
Kathryn Salt, the specialist medical negligence lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing Amie, said: “The past few years have been incredibly difficult for Amie, having to come to terms with her diagnosis and then finding out that it could have been avoided.
“Amie was understandably terrified to be told she had invasive cancer and underwent a hysterectomy at that point as she couldn’t face the possibility of the disease recurring or not being removed completely.
“Since then, she’s also suffered from increased health anxiety. While nothing can make up for the physical and psychological ordeal Amie has been through, we’re pleased that we’ve been able to secure her the answers she deserves.
“Sadly, through our work, we continue to see the devastating effect cancer has. We continue to support Amie as we work towards a settlement which will ensure she can access the specialist support and therapies she requires. In the meantime it’s vital people continue to take part in the cervical cancer screening programme. Early detection and treatment is key to beating cancer.”
A spokesperson for The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust said: “We would like to express our sincere regret and apologies to Ms Wood. The trust always strives to deliver safe and appropriate care to all our patients. Sadly, on this occasion we fell short. We are working with Ms Wood’s representatives to achieve an appropriate resolution and will ensure all learnings from this case are taken forward.”
