The family of a 23-year-old mother who died after being sent
home from hospital three times because doctors failed to diagnose
her cancer has been awarded a "six-figure" pay-out from an NHS
health board.
Lavinia Bletchly, from Bridgend, South Wales, died from
peritonitis and an aggressive malignant non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Her family agreed an out-of-court settlement with Abertawe Bro
Morgannwg University health board, which has been a approved by a
High Court judge. Some of the money will compensate her two
daughters - nine-year-old Shaila and Chloe, six.
Miss Bletchly, a student of textile design at the University of
Wales Institute Cardiff, became ill in May 2004, not long after
Chloe's birth.
Examinations during the next eight months ruled out
gynaecological problems, but she continued to complain of pain in
her abdomen and pelvis.
In February 2005, an ultrasound revealed a cyst and an
exploratory operation found fluid above the liver.
Over the next three weeks she was admitted three times to the
Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend.
On one occasion her family said a senior consultant told her it
was "all in her head" and that she should make way for urgent
cases.
In March 2005, a CT scan and further surgery found an extensive
malignant tumour had encased her bowel and spread to her
stomach.
Despite urgent chemotherapy her prognosis was not good as the
cancer was aggressive and advanced. She died on March 24, 2005,
after a ruptured bowel caused peritonitis, leading to
multiple-organ failure.