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TUMOUR TRAGEDY

Scottish woman dies of brain tumour two months after all-clear as devastated parents blast bungling NHS for ‘ripping their world apart’

Amanda Robertson, 40, was rushed to hospital four times in nine months after suffering extreme headaches, nosebleeds and vomiting - but her symptoms were dismissed by medics

A SCOTTISH woman died of a brain tumour two months after bungling medics gave her the all-clear.

Amanda Robertson, 40, was rushed to hospital four times in nine months after suffering extreme headaches, nosebleeds and vomiting.

 Tragic Amanda Robertson died of a brain tumour
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Tragic Amanda Robertson died of a brain tumourCredit: Digby Brown

Medics reviewed a CT scan and sent her home with painkillers after putting the symptoms down to a simple headache caused by trapped nerves.

Her parents Caroline and Monty Robertson begged staff at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness for an MRI scan but it was only given the green light weeks later.


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Amanda died six days before it was due to be carried out.

Speaking today, Caroline, 71, said the failure of hospital staff killed her daughter.

 Amanda's parents have blasted NHS staff for 'killing their daughter'
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Amanda's parents have blasted NHS staff for 'killing their daughter'Credit: Digby Brown

She said: “Amanda would still be alive if staff at Raigmore simply did their job.

"As far as we’re concerned NHS Highland killed our daughter and ripped our world apart.”

Watchdogs later ruled medics should have spotted the brain tumour at the first CT scan and if acted on then Amanda had a 90 per cent chance of survival.

Her mum and dad, from Alness, Ross-shire, won undisclosed damages from NHS Highland in a compo claim this month.

Amanda, who suffered from autism, first went to her GP in December 201 suffering from headaches, nose bleeds, balance issues and a lump in the back of her head.

She was referred to an ENT consultant who removed a nasal ulcer in February 2014. But five months later on July 1, Amanda’s headaches returned and the same specialist ordered a CT scan.

On July 14 she was given the all-clear.

But on July 30 Amanda was re-admitted to Raigmore Hospital after the vomiting and headaches continued and her lips turned white.

 Amanda was admitted to hospital four times in nine months but was given the all-clear by medics
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Amanda was admitted to hospital four times in nine months but was given the all-clear by medicsCredit: Digby Brown

Caroline, who was Amanda's full-time carer, said: “She was in a lot of pain and couldn’t get out of bed – my husband and I basically carried her into hospital.

“Seeing her suffer was agonising and left us all in a constant state of fear.

“We were also in a catch-22 because the hospital kept letting us down but we had nowhere else to go.”

It wasn’t until August 15 that Amanda was seen by an NHS Highland neurologist who diagnosed an occipital nerve neuralgia (trapped neck headache) and scheduled Amanda’s discharge for August 18.

But when she was violently sick again a young female doctor pushed for an MRI to be carried out and an appointment was arranged for September 8.

Caroline asked the family GP to arrange an earlier slot but was told this would not be possible.

 She died six days before an MRI scan
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She died six days before an MRI scanCredit: PA:Press Association

Tragically, Amanda died six days before her scan. Her cause of death was confirmed as a tumour on the central nervous system within the brain.

Dad Monty, 71, a retired oil rig fabricator, added: “We begged that neurologist for an MRI and he said there was no need, then he just left.

“The hospital had loads of chances and time to act but did nothing.

“Anyone who played a part in Amanda’s death needs to be held to account, at the very least so that standards improve and other families don’t go through what we have.”

The family complained to the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman who upheld their complaint and stated: “There is no doubt that if the tumour had been discovered in July or early August it would have been operable.”

NHS Highland was given 11 recommendations to improve patient care and was criticised for its “lack of focus on the failings and ways to improve their services”.

The General Medical Council also investigated the specialist who diagnosed the trapped nerve and the family GP who failed to spot the early warning signs.

No further action was taken against the specialist and the case of the GP was closed after advice was handed down.

Sue Grant, partner at Digby Brown Solicitors and head of clinical negligence, said: “This was a very tragic and traumatic experience for the Robertson family.

"It would be inappropriate to comment on their case but I can confirm their civil action has now concluded and I hope they may now be able to rebuild their future.”

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