Full Breakdown
Cancer Survivor's Allegations of Medical Neglect After Hospital Discharge
10/16/2025, 9:21:47 PM
Overview of the Incident
Tracy Jardine, a 52-year-old cancer survivor from Stonehouse, South Lanarkshire, has accused the University Hospital Wishaw of medical neglect after she was discharged despite experiencing severe pain. Jardine, who previously overcame cancer of the womb, visited the hospital on September 18, 2023, with intense pain in her vagina and side. After a series of examinations and two CT scans over three days, she was sent home without a clear diagnosis, only to later discover she had a perforated bowel and other serious health issues.
Details of the Hospital Experience
During her stay at Wishaw, Jardine underwent multiple tests, but the scans did not reveal the underlying cause of her pain, attributing it instead to a flare-up of a previously diagnosed bowel condition. Despite her pleas for further investigation, including a request to consult the bowel team, she was discharged with minimal pain relief and no antibiotics. Jardine described her experience as agonizing, stating, “I begged that doctor to send me to the bowel team... I was sent away without so much as an antibiotic.”
Subsequent Medical Care
After leaving Wishaw, Jardine sought treatment at Hairmyres Hospital, where she was immediately given morphine and underwent another CT scan. The results revealed a perforated bowel, elevated infection markers, and additional complications including cysts on her ovaries and a collection of pus in her fallopian tube. She was also diagnosed with an E.coli infection and a bowel-vaginal fistula, a rare condition that can cause severe pain. Jardine expressed relief at being taken seriously at Hairmyres, stating, “It was like they finally believed the pain I was in.”
Impact and Response
Following nearly three weeks of treatment at Hairmyres, Jardine has been left unable to work and is scheduled for a stoma operation. She has filed a formal complaint with NHS Lanarkshire regarding her treatment at Wishaw, emphasizing her anger and frustration over the incident. “This can't happen to another person again,” she stated, reflecting on her ordeal and its impact on her life.
Official Statements
Stephen Peebles, Deputy Director of Acute Services at NHS Lanarkshire, acknowledged Jardine's concerns but noted that they cannot discuss individual patient cases publicly. He encouraged her to reach out to their patient affairs team for further discussion.
Criticism of Medical Practices
Jardine's case raises significant concerns about patient care and the decision-making processes within hospitals. Critics argue that her experience highlights systemic issues in how medical professionals assess and respond to patients in pain, particularly those with complex medical histories. Jardine's assertion that “no one should ever be made to feel like that” underscores the emotional toll of her experience.
Conclusion
Tracy Jardine's allegations of medical neglect following her discharge from University Hospital Wishaw have sparked discussions about patient safety and care standards within the NHS. As she prepares for further surgery, her case serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of thorough medical evaluations and the need for healthcare providers to listen to their patients' concerns.
