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The Health and Disability Commissioner has found a man dying of cancer was failed by Health NZ Southern after he did not receive a first specialist appointment with the oncology service, along with delays in his treatment.
The man experienced worsening pain in his left thigh that left him unable to sit or stand for long periods, before he was diagnosed with terminal oesophageal cancer that had spread throughout his body.
He did not receive follow up radiation treatment or chemotherapy - despite it being identified as part of his plan for palliative care.
The Health and Disability Commissioner said Health NZ Southern failed to provide treatment within the required timeframes, which greatly affected the man's quality of life before he died.
Health NZ Southern has been approached for comment.
A delayed cancer diagnosis
The man visited a medical centre five times between March and April 2021 due to the pain in his thigh that left him struggling to walk.
A semi-urgent referral was made to orthopaedics at Dunedin Hospital, along with referrals for an ultrasound of his left hamstring and an x-ray of the limb.
The orthopaedics referral was declined until the ultrasound and x-ray were completed in June.
During that time, the man's condition began to deteriorate, to the point he was unabl
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