Hospital consultants lying to get you to have surgery...

[Vicky.]

I do not know how common this is. But recently it has came to light that my mothers consultant lied to her face about something in order to get her to have an operation.

As a lot of you know, many months back my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. She was originally told that it was the size of a pea and that she would need only minor surgery. She went for this surgery, and was then told the cancer was a little bigger than they thought it was, so had to go for another operation(a scrape they called it D: ). A week or so after this, during a checkup, they told her they had been completely wrong and that it was actually the size of a watermelon, and she would need a mascetomy to remove it, and radiotherapy for a few months afterwards. Now, ignoring the fact that they got it SO wrong in the first place (a pea is hugely different to a watermelon...surely the machines would have picked up on it) which I think is unacceptable...the following then happened.

My mother wanted to discuss options for after the masectomy before she went through with it. Her view was that she wanted both breasts removed, as she was told that the cancer could come back in the other one and she might have to go through all the stress again. She was also of the opinion that just because they said there was no cancer in her 'healthy' breast, after they made the mistake of the pea/watermelon, there could easily be cancer in the other one that they werent picking up on. Anyway, to cut a long story short, the consultant told her that while her choice was an unpopular one as most women opted for reconstructive surgery (along with a lift, provided on the NHS) after a masectomy, she would be able to do that, but they wouldnt do them both at the same time. So she went ahead with the surgery in the knowledge that she would get her wish eventually, even if it wasnt at that moment.

Fast forward a few months, shes now fully recovered from her masectomy, and finished her radiotherapy so went back to the consultant about having her other breast removed as promised. And has been told that the operation she wants is not possible. Apparently they will not remove a healthy breast just because the patient wants it done as its classed as major surgery...however they would happily rebuild her other breast with grafts from her back and legs, and give her a lift...which in my and her opinion...is major surgery also...infact its more work and would take much longer, and leave her with more scarring. When she asked the consultant why he basically lied to her before the first op, he told her that she gave off the vibe that she would not have had the surgery if the option of a double masectomy wasnt available. She has admitted that that may have been the case, but she doesnt think thats for the consultant to decide, it should have been her choice and she should have been informed properly about the options available to her. I agree with her view entirely. After talking to her mcmillan nurse, she has also discovered that she is extremely unlikely to find a private surgeon willing to remove a healthy breast rather than give a boob job.

Sorry for the super long post, but do you think it is right for a hospital consultant to flat out lie lie about the patients options after surgery, just because they feel the patient might not make the 'right' decision in their eyes if given the correct information? I certainly dont but would welcome any opposing views, as I just cant get my head round how the consultant can justify taking a patients choice away like that :S

[the truth]

she should take that to the ombudsman. telling the truth is ALWAYS the right option, even more so where health is concerned. how is she now?

[Vicky.]

she should take that to the ombudsman. telling the truth is ALWAYS the right option, even more so where health is concerned. how is she now?

Very very angry over it all. Shes got an appointment to see her doctor about it as the mcmillan nurse said thats her best way to go forward, try and persuade her GP to fight her case. Problem is she has to come across upset, but not really angry (which she is), and definitely not depressed. As if they say shes depressed or acting out of anger they will say shes not in the right frame of mind to make the choice :S

As for the ombudsman...its her word (and my dads, as he was there with her) against the word of a medical professional. Cant see it getting far really :S

[AnnieK]

I think she should write to the nhs trust too. Surely it's tantamount to medical negligence what happened initially. If she makes noises about taking her initial miss diagnosis further they may be more willing to undertake the promised surgery

It's awful that after all she's been through they are treating her like this.

[Pyramid*]

First of all, sorry to learn of your mum's struggle with cancer and of all the hullaballoo she's had to go through. I hope she's recovering well despite all of this as best she can Vicky.

About the situation she find herself in. I'm torn between both sides here - and the reason I say this is because of what you've (or rather, your mum) admitted below.


he told her that she gave off the vibe that she would not have had the surgery if the option of a double masectomy wasnt available. She has admitted that that may have been the case


I can see the surgeon's point of view in refusing to remove a healthy breast - after all, they are there to prolong life and not to disfigure unecessarily (sorry for the use of the word given the circumstances) - especially when he was correct in his thoughts that your mum may have refused surgery altogether if she didn't have agreement to the 2nd healthy breast being removed. His immediate concern would have been to get the possible life threatning tissue removed from her, which I think is understandable. Should this have been his decision alone? No but I can appreciate his way of thinking, rightly or wrongly.

As for the initial misdiagnosis on the size - it's sad, upsetting, frightening and understandably has added to the whole thing - but they are human as well, and they can only go on what they see during scans/xrays etc - perhaps the person explaining the size (pea vs watermelon) used a very bad and very wrong comparison? As you say, the difference in size is huge. Your mum should be able to find out the exact size of the removed tissue if that helps her concerns on what the actual size was? In cutting to the chase - the size of it is ultimately irrespective: it still had to be removed - unfortunately it's added to your mum's mistrust of those who have been dealing with her, which will of course be adding to her feelings of anger after the surgery.

I can see your mum's viewpoint also: he should have been truthful with her and I can understand her anger and upset as well as a lot of mistrust in how this has been handled and the resultant affect it's had on her now.

Would it be possible that your mum could explain to her GP that it is affecting her emotionally and to her huge detriment with less emphasis on her anger? Clearly she's been very badly affected by this and given the incorrect info and decision made outwith her control - it may add weight to her complaint.

[Vicky.]

I can see the surgeon's point of view in refusing to remove a healthy breast - after all, they are there to prolong life and not to disfigure unecessarily (sorry for the use of the word given the circumstances) - especially when he was correct in his thoughts that your mum may have refused surgery altogether if she didn't have agreement to the 2nd healthy breast being removed. His immediate concern would have been to get the possible life threatning tissue removed from her, which I think is understandable. Should this have been his decision alone? No but I can appreciate his way of thinking, rightly or wrongly.

See IMO, it is also disfiguring to give her a boob job, even more so really. The suregery to do that would be MUCH more invasive, dangerous, and last much longer. She would end up with bad scarring on here back, and take months to recover from the random grafts that they would need to do. Removing the 'healthy' breast would also eradicate her risk of being in the same situation in the future too. As the kind of cancer she had ONLY affects the breast (to begin with, it can however spread to ribs etc while its there, quite hard to explain)...its not like where you get say lung cancer, get a lung removed and then it pops up in your brain (as happened with my grandad) or however other cancers tend to work. She is also going through a chemical menopause, as the kind she has grows with female hormones...but if it does appear in the other breast during this time, even this is for nothing :/

As for the initial misdiagnosis on the size - it's sad, upsetting, frightening and understandably has added to the whole thing - but they are human as well, and they can only go on what they see during scans/xrays etc - perhaps the person explaining the size (pea vs watermelon) used a very bad and very wrong comparison? As you say, the difference in size is huge. Your mum should be able to find out the exact size of the removed tissue if that helps her concerns on what the actual size was? In cutting to the chase - the size of it is ultimately irrespective: it still had to be removed - unfortunately it's added to your mum's mistrust of those who have been dealing with her, which will of course be adding to her feelings of anger after the surgery.

The actual size was a watermelon. First she was told pea, and that she would need a minor operation which she had. During this time she also had something removed from her armpit, as apparently it usually spreads there too. Then she was told it must be a little bit bigger (plum, this time) and that she would need another small operation, which again she had. Then got told it was huge in hthe first place and they missed it and she would need a masectomy and that it might even have spread to her ribs and muscle...this is after a good few months of surgery already. I know they make mistakes, but I find it extremely hard to believe that with all the technology they have they could mistake something as large as a watermelon for something tiny. if they had diagnosed properly in the first place, it would have been over with a lot quicker and she(and we) wouldnt have had so much stress over it all.

I can see your mum's viewpoint also: he should have been truthful with her and I can understand her anger and upset as well as a lot of mistrust in how this has been handled and the resultant affect it's had on her now.

Would it be possible that your mum could explain to her GP that it is affecting her emotionally and to her huge detriment with less emphasis on her anger? Clearly she's been very badly affected by this and given the incorrect info and decision made outwith her control - it may add weight to her complaint.
This is what shes trying to do at the moment. First appointment with GP didnt go too well but she says shes not giving up until she gets the answer she wants. She is also looking into pretty much every private surgeon around, and is willing to sign any waivers or anything that they give her in order to get them to do the surgery on her.



Its such a horrid situation to be in, because I have my mum at me in one ear about how mad she is about it all, while I have my sister getting hysterical at the thought that my mum might not have had the surgery if she knew what was going to happen, and that she might have died because of not having the surgery :S

I CAN see both sides, I mean, I would have been mad at my mum, but respected her choice at the same time, had she refused surgery and died like next year. But there is still the chance that she could have been alive and well in 15 years time or something. And tbh, at the moment Im thinking I would rather her have took the risk than see her as upset as she is right now.

[Pyramid*]

See IMO, it is also disfiguring to give her a boob job, even more so really. The suregery to do that would be MUCH more invasive, dangerous, and last much longer. She would end up with bad scarring on here back, and take months to recover from the random grafts that they would need to do. Removing the 'healthy' breast would also eradicate her risk of being in the same situation in the future too. As the kind of cancer she had ONLY affects the breast (to begin with, it can however spread to ribs etc while its there, quite hard to explain)...its not like where you get say lung cancer, get a lung removed and then it pops up in your brain (as happened with my grandad) or however other cancers tend to work. She is also going through a chemical menopause, as the kind she has grows with female hormones...but if it does appear in the other breast during this time, even this is for nothing :/


The actual size was a watermelon. First she was told pea, and that she would need a minor operation which she had. During this time she also had something removed from her armpit, as apparently it usually spreads there too. Then she was told it must be a little bit bigger (plum, this time) and that she would need another small operation, which again she had. Then got told it was huge and she would need a masectomy and that it might even have spread to her ribs and muscle. I know they make mistakes, but I find it extremely hard to believe that with all the technology they have they could mistake something as large as a watermelon for something tiny.

This is what shes trying to do at the moment. First appointment with GP didnt go too well but she says shes not giving up until she gets the answer she wants.


Its such a horrid situation to be in, because I have my mum at me in one ear about how mad she is about it all, while I have my sister getting hysterical at the thought that my mum might not have had the surgery if she knew what was going to happen, and that she might have died because of not having the surgery :S

I CAN see both sides, I mean, I would have been mad at my mum, but respected her choice at the same time, had she refused surgery and died like next year. But there is still the chance that she could have been alive and well in 15 years time or something. And tbh, at the moment Im thinking I would rather her have took the risk than see her as upset as she is right now.

Re disfiguring: she needed the surgery: that was inevitable and reconstruction was a choice given that mum chose (and I understand why, having a friend who chose the same route) - and yes, you are right that additional surgery to healthy breast tissue would have caused additional 'disfigurement'.

I think mum is perhaps being too focused on the size of the unhealthy tissue : it makes no difference in reality to the situation: the unhealthy tissue had to be removed regardless - that's the bottom line and in doing so: that would have resulted in scarring / disfigurement - in the most gentle of ways; mum needs to come to terms with that.

I so understand mum's pov - I do - but I also see a surgeon who has (let's be brutal here)... trying to put her life at the forefront - rather than putting mum through a longer / subsequent op - which poses further dangers to her.

It's one hellish situation all round: and for reasons that I am not prepared to go into on here: I do seriously feel for your mum as I imagine part of her anger that she's feeling - is possibly masking a certain degree of fear as well as her trying to illicit some 'control' over something that she has no control over (ie: the cancerous tissue/ cancer within) and that may (not saying it is, just saying it 'may') be manifesting itself in the form of 'anger'........ which mum might think it directed towards the initial 'size situ' / the surgeon situ: when in fact, her anger could be subconsciously: be more from being hit with this most godawful of diseases. Does that make sense? Mum needs to feel as though she has some control of this and that way she is perceiving that: is through her anger at what has happened via this 'non surgery'.....

I really do feel for your mum - and all of you. Perhaps mum needs to concentrate more on 'now - and her future' and how she can spin this around on a more positive note? I know that will be hard - she's had a damn lot to go through of recent times; as have her loved ones too.

This is going to sound brutal and I cannot apologise enough for what I am going to say: please, please do not take this the wrong way: but perhaps mum would benefit from speaking to those in a similar type situation: a support group for victims of breast cancer?

[Vicky.]

I did suggest that but she says she doesnt need that, she doesnt see herself as a victim, just unlucky, and she reckons being around others who do feel sorry for themselves (no other way to put that D: ) might make her feel that way too. She has come to terms with everything besides being refused the surgery that she was originally told would be available at this stage. She is keeping her mcmillan nurse on though for the moment, as shes acting as kind of..a counsellor. She comes once a week to let my mum vent, and to give her advice and that.

[Pyramid*]

I did suggest that but she says she doesnt need that, she doesnt see herself as a victim, just unlucky, and she reckons being around others who do feel sorry for themselves (no other way to put that D: ) might make her feel that way too. She has come to terms with everything besides being refused the surgery that she was originally told would be available at this stage. She is keeping her mcmillan nurse on though for the moment, as shes acting as kind of..a counsellor. She comes once a week to let my mum vent, and to give her advice and that.


I know what you mean (or rather, what mum means) about being around others who feel sorry for themselves........ had the same kind of thing with my 'dad situ',,.... then mum.... and I totally understand 100% where she is coming from : so I'd be an absolute hypocrite to say otherwise.

If the McMillan nurse is acting as 'mediator' as such: she may pull some strength and understanding from them - god only knows: they have 'seen it all and more'..... and that's something aside: these McMillan nurses: I recall the care they gave my gran Vicky: and to be perfectly honest: they were bloody godsends - for gran and the rest of us.

I don't know what the right thing is either way: I do know that your mum will be in a heck of a position emotionally: and I honestly do think that 'some' (not it all, not given the incorrect info, not given the 'being duped by the surgeon - abeit for perhaps the best of intentions) - has helped her in coming to terms with all of this - the poor soul is (imo) trying to control what she can: but is left floundering. It does make me think though: why the need to tell a patient what 'size' is: if there is a mass that needs be removed: perhaps the word 'mass' with no reference to actual size equivalent should be considered? Hell knows.

In a way: I kinda wish I could just give her a massive big hug - I get the feeling that mum is using her 'anger' as a crutch for seeming to be braver than she perhaps really feels????? I could be well off...... but hell: we all get majorily thrown off kilter when something like this hits us. :(

[Vicky.]

I know what you mean (or rather, what mum means) about being around others who feel sorry for themselves........ had the same kind of thing with my 'dad situ',,.... then mum.... and I totally understand 100% where she is coming from : so I'd be an absolute hypocrite to say otherwise.

If the McMillan nurse is acting as 'mediator' as such: she may pull some strength and understanding from them - god only knows: they have 'seen it all and more'..... and that's something aside: these McMillan nurses: I recall the care they gave my gran Vicky: and to be perfectly honest: they were bloody godsends - for gran and the rest of us.

I don't know what the right thing is either way: I do know that your mum will be in a heck of a position emotionally: and I honestly do think that 'some' (not it all, not given the incorrect info, not given the 'being duped by the surgeon - abeit for perhaps the best of intentions) - has helped her in coming to terms with all of this - the poor soul is (imo) trying to control what she can: but is left floundering. It does make me think though: why the need to tell a patient what 'size' is: if there is a mass that needs be removed: perhaps the word 'mass' with no reference to actual size equivalent should be considered? Hell knows.

In a way: I kinda wish I could just give her a massive big hug - I get the feeling that mum is using her 'anger' as a crutch for seeming to be braver than she perhaps really feels????? I could be well off...... but hell: we all get majorily thrown off kilter when something like this hits us. :(

Thats because depending on the size, the operations are different. If this had turned out to be what they thought originally, she would only have needed a relatively small op and would have recovered quickly, possibly with the need for a little radiotheraphy but not as much as she ended up having.

If it had been what they thought after she had the first small op..it would have, again only needed a slightly bigger operation, but not removal of the whole breast as ended up needing to be done.

They have to let you know the size as otherwise they would be dishing out masectomies to people who shouldnt have them and could have recovered without the big operation. I guess they could just say 'oh you need another operation' but then you would get frustrated not knowing exactly why and having no explanation for being told one minute that you would be fine, and the next that you need more surgery.

In a way, if they didnt get focussed so much on size then a lot of extra stress could be avoided, as I very much doubt my mother has been the only case where it has been wrong. But at the same time a lot of women might end up with a whole breast removed when they could have had minor surgery and still had their breast.

[Vicky.]

I think I may have read your post wrong, on second thoughts :laugh:

[Pyramid*]

Thats because depending on the size, the operations are different. If this had turned out to be what they thought originally, she would only have needed a relatively small op and would have recovered quickly, possibly with the need for a little radiotheraphy but not as much as she ended up having.

If it had been what they thought after she had the first small op..it would have, again only needed a slightly bigger operation, but not removal of the whole breast as ended up needing to be done.

They have to let you know the size as otherwise they would be dishing out masectomies to people who shouldnt have them and could have recovered without the big operation. I guess they could just say 'oh you need another operation' but then you would get frustrated not knowing exactly why and having no explanation for being told one minute that you would be fine, and the next that you need more surgery.

In a way, if they didnt get focussed so much on size then a lot of extra stress could be avoided, as I very much doubt my mother has been the only case where it has been wrong. But at the same time a lot of women might end up with a whole breast removed when they could have had minor surgery and still had their breast.

would it really make that much of a difference - taking the full picture into consideration. ?

I am close friends with a lady who had breast cancer diagnosed - told that full removal of breast needed and she was seriously recommended full removal, including nipple: even though the chances of cancer recurring were under 5%. Surgeons tried to tell her that there was every chance it would recur, even with such low odds.

Two weeks before her 5 years remission: 3 guesses what was found - around the nipple area that she chose to ignore what was recommended to her: because she wanted to take that chance. She was wrong - and the consultants were right. thankfully: through all of this: she was covered via private health care via her husband's work: but she chose to tell the surgeon and the consultants 'what to do at her request' despite being advised otherwise.

I'm not sure what you want here Vicky: I don't think your mum was correct is asking for what she asked for. Regardless of the size of the tissue affected: it had to be removed, irrespective of the difference in operation required. would she have preferred they lied to her and pretended it was only a tiny piece of surgery, tiny piece of tissue: or would she have preferred that they were honest in stating that the size of affected tissue was much larger, and would require far more surgery than first anticipated??

I can only speak for me (and possibly my mate who so wished she'd taken the surgeons advice way back then) - if it was me: I'd far rather lose the full breast - all in - if that is what my surgeon recommended. He/She is far more qualified and far more knowledgeable - all things considered.

[Pyramid*]

I think I may have read your post wrong, on second thoughts :laugh:


Is there room in this thread for a LOL.....

I think my last post would hopefully explain more 'where I'm coming from'?

Thing is Vicky: you're very directly involved. You are also emotionally involed - and to have a distant perspective from an 'outsider' (which mums' surgeon would no doubt have) - is worlds apart - so dont' misunderstand me here: I feel heart sorry for everyone involved. Truly.

[Vicky.]

I'm not sure what you want here Vicky: I don't think your mum was correct is asking for what she asked for. Regardless of the size of the tissue affected: it had to be removed, irrespective of the difference in operation required. would she have preferred they lied to her and pretended it was only a tiny piece of surgery, tiny piece of tissue: or would she have preferred that they were honest in stating that the size of affected tissue was much larger, and would require far more surgery than first anticipated??


OK I think we might have crossed wires here somewhere going on this bit. She has no problem at all with the full breast being removed. Although it does annoy her a little bit that they got it so wrong and she ended up having to have 3 ops rather than just the one, but she has accepted that they make mistakes sometimes.

But she wants her other breast removed also, although at the moment, there is no cancer in that one but she was told there was quite a risk of it returning in said healthy breast. She was told that after she had the op to remove the 'bad' breast, after recovering, she would be able to have the 'healthy' one removed also but they have gone back on their word now. This is the issue, not the mistakes they made in the original diagnosis.

[Pyramid*]

OK I think we might have crossed wires here somewhere going on this bit. She has no problem at all with the full breast being removed. Although it does annoy her a little bit that they got it so wrong and she ended up having to have 3 ops rather than just the one, but she has accepted that they make mistakes sometimes.

But she wants her other breast removed also, although at the moment, there is no cancer in that one but she was told there was quite a risk of it returning in said healthy breast. She was told that after she had the op to remove the 'bad' breast, after recovering, she would be able to have the 'healthy' one removed also but they have gone back on their word now. This is the issue, not the mistakes they made in the original diagnosis.

If true: then surely this is the very thing that she needs to impress upon GP/consultants/Surgeons?

the matter of the 'promise' to remove healthy tissue/ breast has already been addressed. No surgeon in their right mind, would remove good tissue at the bequest of the patient: because the patient simply wanted it removed, despite the recommendeations / expertise / experience of previous case studies of the surgeon involved.

sorry vicky, but I can't help get the feeling that mum isn't facing up to the brutal truth here: she is not more knowledgeable that those who are dealing with such situations day in and day out.... and she should consider their reasons for their reasons and recommendations.

If a person had a tumor in their left arm, and wanted the surgeon recommended removal only of left arm and not also the right arm: but patient 'felt' that removal of right arm at same time of initial operation would recifty to their satisfactino: I would say the surgeon was right and the patient was wrong.l

[Vicky.]

If true: then surely this is the very thing that she needs to impress upon GP/consultants/Surgeons?

the matter of the 'promise' to remove healthy tissue/ breast has already been addressed. No surgeon in their right mind, would remove good tissue at the bequest of the patient: because the patient simply wanted it removed, despite the recommendeations / expertise / experience of previous case studies of the surgeon involved.

sorry vicky, but I can't help get the feeling that mum isn't facing up to the brutal truth here: she is not more knowledgeable that those who are dealing with such situations day in and day out.... and she should consider their reasons for their reasons and recommendations.

If a person had a tumor in their left arm, and wanted the surgeon recommended removal only of left arm and not also the right arm: but patient 'felt' that removal of right arm at same time of initial operation would recifty to their satisfactino: I would say the surgeon was right and the patient was wrong.l

Oddly enough this is quite similar to what the consultant said to try and explain their position. He said that if she had an op to remove one of her legs, would she want the other leg removed too.

This analogy doesnt make sense to me really, as you have use for your legs, and it would make a huge difference if you had no legs. The breast (once past childbearing age) is just a useless flap of skin basically.


She knows shes not more knowledgeable than people qualified in that area. But it still doesnt make sense that they refuse to remove her breast...and the reason given is that it is 'unneccesary surgery'. However they would be more than happy to perform other 'unneccesary surgery' to rebuild the breast that has already been removed. Her view is that if she went ahead with this reconstruction that they are pushing her to have, come next year her other breast may need removed (as she HAS been told this is a risk)...she might have to go through all of this again, and then she would be stuck with one plastic boob...and then eventually have to have another reconstruction again. And that even if it doesnt come back in the other one, having a reconstruction, with all the grafts involved, is still a massive operation compared to a simple removal. Surely if the removal is unnecessary, then rebuilding is also unnecessary...

Anyway, the point of this thread was about me trying to understand the consultants reason for lying, and wanting to know if anyone could see their point of view, so thanks for your input as I do understand it a little bit more now :) I still do disagree with them lying in the first place though.

[Pyramid*]

Oddly enough this is quite similar to what the consultant said to try and explain their position. He said that if she had an op to remove one of her legs, would she want the other leg removed too.

This analogy doesnt make sense to me really, as you have use for your legs, and it would make a huge difference if you had no legs. The breast (once past childbearing age) is just a useless flap of skin basically.


She knows shes not more knowledgeable than people qualified in that area. But it still doesnt make sense that they refuse to remove her breast...and the reason given is that it is 'unneccesary surgery'. However they would be more than happy to perform other 'unneccesary surgery' to rebuild the breast that has already been removed. Her view is that if she went ahead with this reconstruction that they are pushing her to have, come next year her other breast may need removed (as she HAS been told this is a risk)...she might have to go through all of this again, and then she would be stuck with one plastic boob...and then eventually have to have another reconstruction again. And that even if it doesnt come back in the other one, having a reconstruction, with all the grafts involved, is still a massive operation compared to a simple removal. Surely if the removal is unnecessary, then rebuilding is also unnecessary...

Anyway, the point of this thread was about me trying to understand the consultants reason for lying, and wanting to know if anyone could see their point of view, so thanks for your input as I do understand it a little bit more now :) I still do disagree with them lying in the first place though.


It makes perfect sense to me why a surgeon would not remove a healthy part of body tissue: given that there is no real need, and that it further complicates and lengthens operation time / procedure / recovery time as well as any possibly psychological effects on the patient etc.

I guess there really isn't a 'one anwer' fits all to this.

I think the most important thing is that mum moves on and in a positive frame of mind - regardless of the hurdles she (and you all) have had to endure. :)

[the truth]

the way ive dealt with the nhs is to write letters then, keep copies and email to EVERYONE. YOUR MP, the local trust, everyone from the person in charge of the finances to his/her boss and then to his her boss right to the the very top chief executive and everyone in between, also the mp and the local aseembly member. then also to the ombudsman too, by email and recored letter. make sure eveyr letter is the same and every word is considered and accurate. you can get some help, but i tend to just write what I believe to be the truth.

demand a meeting, demand the truth. be polite and so on but be firm and irremovable in your determination to get to the truth

if all else fails take to the media, but the media is always th elast desperate resort

[Kizzy]

vicky your mother must be under the greatest stress whilst recovering from this hideous illness.
Have you or your mum asked on any forums relating to breast cancer? this may not be an isolated incident and your mum could compare experiences with others and find advice and support.
I really hope she gets her voice heard and gets answers to her questions, as well as an adequate explanation for how she was treated.