Six more had unnecessary chemotherapy, say lawyers

A further six people have claimed they were given unnecessary chemotherapy after hospital bosses admitted that one man was needlessly treated for more than 14 years.

Patients have contacted lawyers stating they also have been given temozolomide while receiving treatment from University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust (UHCW).

NHS guidelines recommend the chemotherapy drug should not be used for more than six months.

The trust said it was carrying out an internal review into what happened, and stressed it was committed to providing the "best care" for its patients.

Legal firm Brabners said the six people contacted them after hearing the story of their client, who was treated with temozolomide for 14 years.

The cancer patient, who was originally treated for a brain tumour, said he had suffered fatigue, joint pain, gastrointestinal distress, recurrent mouth ulcers and nausea because of the ongoing treatment.

He only found out that he was taking the unnecessary medication when his consultant, Prof Ian Brown, retired from being a practising doctor.

A letter from the trust's chief executive, Prof Andy Hardy, to the patient's mother admitted the treatment her son had received "was not evidence-based".

Fiona Tinsley, head of clinical negligence and serious injury at Brabners, said those who had been in touch were all given temozolomide and had been a patient of Prof Brown.

One patient claimed the medication, which they had been taking for nine years, had a "debilitating" impact on their life, she said.

The firm has reported Prof Brown to the General Medical Council, Ms Tinsley added.

He is now under interim restrictions, with conditions on his ability to practise and cannot prescribe, administer, or have primary responsibility for any chemotherapy drugs pending a full investigation.

"This could be the tip of the iceberg", she said.

"I don't think this is an isolated incident.

"It's my understanding from my communication with the trust that there is a cohort of patients impacted having taken long term temozolomide."

The trust has declined to answer any further questions, which it said would be dealt with as part of the internal review.

Prof Hardy said: "We take very seriously any allegation that care provided by a member of staff, past or present, may have fallen below the standards we would expect for our patients.

"I can confirm we are undertaking an internal review of this matter and, once completed, will consider what further steps may be necessary.

"As our review is ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage."

The BBC has attempted to contact Prof Brown for comment.

Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.