Current:Home > InvestA U.K. medical office mistakenly sent patients a text message with a cancer diagnosis -AssetPath
A U.K. medical office mistakenly sent patients a text message with a cancer diagnosis
View
Date:2025-04-27 02:19:37
Carl Chegwin was getting in the holiday spirit by watching the movie The Santa Clause on Christmas Eve when he says he got a text message from his U.K. doctor's office diagnosing him with "aggressive lung cancer."
He sat there in shock until he was able to show the message to his mom, who also received the same text from an "NHS-NoReply" number. National Health Service England (NHS) offers general practitioner services at Chegwin and his mother's doctor's office — the Askern Medical Practice in Doncaster.
After realizing he wasn't the only one to receive the message he began to question the text, wondering if it was "some sort of sick joke."
About 20 minutes later, the "NHS-NoReply" number messaged: "Please accept our sincere apologies for the previous text message sent. This has been sent in error. Our message to you should have read We wish you a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year."
Chegwin said he had never received a message from Askern Medical Practice wishing him a merry Christmas in his approximately 30 years as a patient.
"To me, that apology, it's not even an apology," he said. "It's kind of an arrogant, nonchalant, handwaving."
A spokesperson from NHS England refused to take any questions related to the incident and redirected NPR to NHS's email. Askern Medical Practice was not available for immediate comment.
The initial message falsely diagnosing patients with terminal lung cancer asked them to fill out a DS1500 form, which allows people with terminal diseases to claim certain benefits.
While neither Chegwin nor his mother were expecting a test result for cancer, others who received the same message were. It is not clear how many people the text messages were sent to.
Chegwin said he would not be returning to the practice after this incident.
"That kind of thing breaks people and drives people to despair," he said.
Chegwin said he has not received further communication from the practice since the Dec. 24 text messages.
veryGood! (2)
Related
- Pressure on a veteran and senator shows what’s next for those who oppose Trump
- Tree of Life shooter to be sentenced to death for Pittsburgh synagogue massacre
- General Motors starts shipping Chevy Blazer EV, reveals price and range
- 10 injured after stolen vehicle strikes pedestrians in New York City, police say
- Former longtime South Carolina congressman John Spratt dies at 82
- Man charged with drunken driving in wrong-way Washington beltway crash that killed 1, hurt 9
- Former USMNT and current Revolution head coach Bruce Arena put on administrative leave
- Gay NYC dancer fatally stabbed while voguing at gas station; hate crime investigation launched
- Global Warming Set the Stage for Los Angeles Fires
- Grand jury indicts man accused of shooting and killing 1 and injuring 4 at Atlanta medical practice
Ranking
- Woman dies after Singapore family of 3 gets into accident in Taiwan
- How the Trump fake electors scheme became a ‘corrupt plan,’ according to the indictment
- Some of Niger’s neighbors defend the coup there, even hinting at war. It’s a warning for Africa
- Arrest made in Indiana shooting that killed 1, wounded 17
- Google unveils a quantum chip. Could it help unlock the universe's deepest secrets?
- India's Haryana state on edge as authorities block internet, deploy troops amid deadly sectarian violence
- Black bear, cub euthanized after attacking man opening his garage door in Idaho
- Video shows massive fire in San Francisco burns 4 buildings Tuesday morning
Recommendation
A Mississippi company is sentenced for mislabeling cheap seafood as premium local fish
Jury resumes deliberations over death penalty or life in prison for Pittsburgh synagogue shooter
Man whose body was found in a barrel in Malibu is identified by authorities
York wildfire still blazing, threatening Joshua trees in Mojave Desert
Romantasy reigns on spicy BookTok: Recommendations from the internet’s favorite genre
Driver accused of gross negligence in crash that killed actor Treat Williams
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau separating from wife, Sophie
'AGT': Sofía Vergara awards Golden Buzzer to 'spectacular' Brazilian singer Gabriel Henrique