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The family of a "generous" Sheffield man who died after multiple doctors missed a 'visible mass' on several scans have spoken of their heartache.

James Higgingbottom, 37, died on May 15, 2024 due to an aortic dissection after being diagnosed with a terminal adrenal cancer. However, a coroner told an inquest that medical scans in 2018, 2019 and 2020 could have provided an earlier diagnosis of the cancer had they been checked and reported more thoroughly

Hannah Berry, South Yorkshire Assistant Coroner, concluded the complexity of the diagnosis and the uncertainty of several health factors mean it cannot be said whether the mistakes could have prevented James' death or prolonged his life.

Sheffield Coroners' Court heard on Thursday, September 18 how several errors were made during his care, including failing to identify his adrenal cancer in earlier scans, a lack of monitoring and treatment of his high blood pressure, and a lack of communication and follow-ups as several key appointments and health check-ups were missed.

In a joint statement, Kay and Brent Higgingbottom, James' parents, said there's not a day goes by that they don't think about their son. They said: "He was a kind, loving, gentle and generous man, and was so close to his sisters as well as his nieces and nephews. There are no words to describe the pain and grief we all continue to feel since losing him; it's still as raw now as it was back then. I know everybody would say their child was amazing, but James truly was.

"The past 16 months have been incredibly difficult and not a day goes by where we don't think of James. He was at home with us every single day and we miss him terribly.

"We'd all do anything to have James back, but we know that's not possible. The inquest has also been particularly distressing, having to relive everything again, but at least we now have some answers. We just hope that by speaking out, it will help improve care for other patients."

The court heard James' GP practice, Jaunty Health Medical Centre, failed to adequately monitor his high blood pressure, which was not checked in a series of annual health reviews. The centre also removed atenolol, a medication that had not but should have been prescribed to treat his high blood pressure, from a list of medications without further investigation.

Radiologists at the Sheffield Teaching Hospitals Trust failed to identify his adrenal gland cancer in earlier scans, while he was "lost to the system", meaning a review of his high blood pressure a year after it was diagnosed was never conducted. The coroner found that while mistakes were made by both the GP practice and NHS trust, they did not materially contribute to the likelihood of preventing James' death or prolonging his life.

Joe Haley, the expert medical negligence lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing Kay and Brent, said after the hearing: "This is a truly tragic case, and James' loved ones are struggling to come to terms with losing him under such circumstances, particularly Brent and Kay, who remain devastated.

"Understandably, they've also had a number of questions and concerns about the events that unfolded in the lead up to their son's death. The inquest has heard worrying evidence regarding James's care. While we're pleased to have been able to secure the answers Brent and Kay deserve, it's now vital that lessons are learned to improve patient care. We'll continue to support James' loved ones at this distressing time."

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