A man received years of treatment that he didn’t need after doctors falsely diagnosed him with cancer.
Simon Pearson, 41, said he was left reeling after seeking medical help for overwhelming fatigue.
He attended George Eliot Hospital in Nuneaton, UK, where clinicians told him his symptoms were being caused by polycythaemia vera — a slow-growing form of blood cancer.
He was also informed he had haemochromatosis, a hereditary condition that leads to a dangerous build-up of iron in the body.
Living with his wife Rachel, 41, and their two sons Alfie, 19, and Freddie, 16, Simon then spent the next seven years undergoing treatment for conditions he believed he had.
“For years I was in and out of hospital, believing I had a condition that could eventually kill me – sometimes lying awake all night, terrified,” he said.
“There was also the fear that it was genetic and something I could pass on to my children. I felt so guilty and constantly worried about their future.
“I had no reason to dispute anything that I was told and put my trust in the doctors.”
Seven years after the initial diagnosis, Simon attended what he expected to be a standard check-up — until a nurse reviewing his case raised concerns.
He was referred for further tests, and the outcome, he says, was staggering: he was told he did not have either condition.
“To be suddenly told I may not have any of the conditions came as a complete shock,” he said.
“I keep asking myself how could this have gone on for so long? I still can’t quite believe how care I didn’t need went on for so long.”
Simon said the treatments left him dealing with side effects, and that the situation affected his ability to support his family as he ‘struggled to provide for my family’.
He described the consequences as lasting and deeply disruptive.
“I’m still struggling to come to terms with the fact it was all a mistake,” he said. “At times, it feels like I’ve lost my sense of reality.”
Simon has now launched legal action relating to his treatment after the hospital trust acknowledged a breach of duty.
Victoria Zinzan, the lawyer acting for Simon, said: “The past few years have taken a significant financial, physical and emotional toll on Simon who remains shocked and upset at what he’s had to endure.
“Although nothing can make up for what he’s been through, we welcome the Hospital Trust’s early admission of liability and are now working with the Trust to ensure Simon has access to the support he requires to try and move forward with his life.
“However, worrying failings have been identified in Simon’s care and it’s vital that lessons are learned to improve patient safety.”
Dr Naj Rashid, chief medical officer for George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust, said in a statement from the trust: “I would like to offer our sincere apologies to Mr Pearson for the failings in the care he received from us.
“Mr Pearson’s care had undoubtedly fallen below our usually high standards and caused significant distress to him. We are working with him to ensure he has our full support going forward.
“The Trust has carried out a thorough investigation into what went wrong and have put in place actions to address issues identified to ensure this is not able to happen again.”