Lincoln man's 'bitter disappointment' over stage four cancer treatment wait

Ivan Theobald, 62, has a tumour in his mouth affecting his speech and nerves in his face, making it difficult for him to swallow food

A Lincoln man has said he is "bitterly disappointed" having to wait almost half a year to begin stage four cancer treatment.

Ivan Theobald, 62, has a tumour in his mouth affecting his speech and nerves in his face, making it difficult for him to swallow food.

He said the disease was only discovered by doctors after a discharge from A&E and multiple referrals in October 2023.

The NHS said improving care for people with cancer "remains a priority".

Mr Theobald said he was preparing for his first round of chemotherapy and radiotherapy for the stage four tumour at the base of his tongue nearly five months after he first went to his GP.

He went to seek medical help after feeling a soreness in his throat, the Local Democracy Reporting Service reports.

He claims to have been ignored after initial placement on the NHS' Two-Week Wait appointment system, and said he was even discharged from A&E despite symptoms of coughing up blood.

"My GP didn't refer me and I only ever saw him twice, as the rest of the time was taken up seeing a nurse, despite making my concerns heard to my GP," said Mr Theobald.

"I even had to go to A&E in December after coughing up blood. They didn't see anything and the bleeding stopped while I was there, so they sent me home.

"They then wrote to my GP to say I'd attended A&E with a nose bleed! The whole thing is just nonsense.

"I am in increasing pain and my family and I are obviously suffering stress and anxiety; while I wonder what my outcome will be?"

NHS England data revealed a total of 679 patients being treated for cancer in Lincolnshire in January 2024, with some 41.7% waiting for treatment.

About 30% of patients started treatment within 62 days of cancer being suspected - the national NHS target is 85%.

In Mr Theobald's case, the gap between his first GP appointment and the due date for chemotherapy to begin stands at more than 140 days, which is nearly three months longer than the 62-day target.

Amanda Markall, deputy chief operating officer at ULHT, said: "Improving care for people with suspected cancer remains a priority, and we are working towards meeting the national targets to see and diagnose 77% of patients within 28 days and treat 70% within 62 days by the end of March 2025.

"As part of this commitment, we are reducing waiting times by improving access to diagnostic testing, increasing the number of outpatient appointments available and increasing our theatre capacity to allow us to offer more operations.

"We also continue to work alongside GPs and other health professionals across primary care and regional centres to ensure those who need ongoing specialist care can easily access those pathways."