Mike Barlow, whose wife Laura died from cancer after being misdiagnosed over the phone, is calling for mandatory face-to-face appointments with GPs. Laura Barlow, 33, had contacted her GP surgery in Stickney, Lincolnshire, in October 2023, after finding blood in her stool. During a phone call, a GP had diagnosed her with endometriosis and given her medication. However, Laura became ill in mid-December and her condition deteriorated. She was admitted to hospital where it was discovered she had cancer. By February 2024, Laura’s condition was untreatable and she died three days later.
Mike Barlow believes the lack of face-to-face appointments contributed to Laura’s death. He believes a blood test could have discovered her cancer earlier, and that had she seen a GP face-to-face, they would have realised how much pain she was in.
The surgery and United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust issued a joint statement, expressing condolences to Laura’s family: “We are unable to comment on individual cases but will continue to speak to the family about their concerns as appropriate.”
Mike wants GP surgeries to see all patients face-to-face and hopes a petition, started by a friend, will gather enough signatures to be discussed in Parliament. Ultimately, he hopes the government will support his proposal: “I want that to be what happens in Laura’s name,” he said. “People are dying because they’re not being seen.”
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