Victims of a cancer specialist under investigation for prescribing a toxic chemotherapy drug are being urged to seek legal help. More than 20 patients are suing University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust after claiming they were given unnecessary chemotherapy treatment by oncologist, Professor Ian Brown.
David Lydon, a Legal Director at Midlands law firm mfg Solicitors, now wants to speak to other potential victims. It has been widely reported that a number of patients were prescribed temozolomide for more than a decade by the University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, despite NHS guidelines stating it should only be used for six months.
Patients claim the overprescribing left them with horrific side-effects including secondary cancers and crippling fatigue. Hospital bosses have admitted that one cancer patient was needlessly taking the medication for more than 14 years, with the patient only discovering the error when informed Professor Brown had retired in 2023.
Since the legal case was revealed, dozens more cancer patients have come forward to raise similar concerns. An internal patient safety review has now been launched and Professor Brown is being investigated by the General Medical Council.
David Lydon said: “A number of serious concerns have been raised in relation to potentially unnecessary chemotherapy treatment being prescribed at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust. I believe the cases which are known are simply the tip of the iceberg and therefore I am urging patients and former patients to come forward.
“We are committed to securing justice and holding those responsible for any medical negligence. We have a dedicated team of experts who are able to assist and guide them through this difficult and worrying period.”
Readers looking for further advice in relation to this issue can contact David via email at david.lydon@mfgsolicitors.com or by calling 0121 236 7388.
mfg Solicitors has offices in Worcester, Birmingham, Kidderminster, Bromsgrove, the Black Country, Ludlow and Telford.
