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Emails with life expectancies given

WorriedRelative
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Hi, I'm concerned about communication to a relative. It seems very harsh to me and I'm cross on their behalf.

Basically they were sent an email saying their lung cancer was incurable and they had 2 years to live. Then 2 weeks later another email saying that the hospital had sent the CT scans to a "top oncologist" who had reviewed them and actually the life expectancy is now 8 months.

I'm shocked that this devastating news hasn't been given face to face. Is this acceptable practice? Does anyone have any experience of this type of communication? Thanks so much. 

Parents
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    This is unacceptable and is a breach of both best practice and the patients charter. 

    It is probably a terrible indicator of the current corporate culture within the Trust in question. 

    You are within your rights to raise this with your MP, CQC, your local Integrated Care Board (or the Welsh, Scottish or NI equivalent) as well as with the Trust's Chief Executive. Don't be palmed off into to contacting PALs - they're OK for minor complaints but are way down the hierarchy. 
     

    Good Luck

    Dave

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    This is unacceptable and is a breach of both best practice and the patients charter. 

    It is probably a terrible indicator of the current corporate culture within the Trust in question. 

    You are within your rights to raise this with your MP, CQC, your local Integrated Care Board (or the Welsh, Scottish or NI equivalent) as well as with the Trust's Chief Executive. Don't be palmed off into to contacting PALs - they're OK for minor complaints but are way down the hierarchy. 
     

    Good Luck

    Dave

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