Ashtons representing family as inquest opens into death of man after failure to diagnose cancer

An inquest opens today into the death of a Nottingham man after a hospital failed to diagnose lung cancer. Keith Beardsmore, aged 73, had undergone a chest x-ray at Nottingham City Hospital in 2014 for suspected gastro-enteritis.

According to a subsequent report by the hospital into his death, the x-ray revealed an ‘area of opacity’ in the right side of his chest. It was noted by the medical team, who reported it as possible pneumonia and suggested the x-ray should be repeated. But the advice was never followed up.Two years later Mr Beardsmore was referred to the hospital with a persistent cough, and was diagnosed with metastatic lung cancer.

His family are represented at the inquest by a medical negligence specialist with law firm Ashtons Legal.“It is clear that an opportunity was missed to act on Mr Beardsmore’s cancer at an early stage. However, the purpose of the inquest is to provide answers to the questions surrounding Mr Beardsmore’s death, and his family will help the coroner reach a conclusion in any way they can.”

Ashtons Legal frequently represents at inquest families who have lost a loved one and are seeking answers as to whether the death might have been preventable.