Delay Diagnosis, Wrong Diagnosis, Cancer, Dermatology (FOI_7140)

Freedom of information request details

FOI request date: 3rd April 2025

Service: Claims Management / Cause: Failure/Delay Diagnosis, Wrong Diagnosis / Injury: Advanced Stage Cancer, Benign Tumour, Cancer, Malignant Tumour

The following information was requested:

I am submitting this request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to obtain data on NHS misdiagnosis of skin cancer.

Request Details

1. NHS Misdiagnosis (Claims Data)

• The total number of claims against NHS Trusts related to misdiagnosis of skin cancer, including:
• False negatives (missed cancer diagnoses).
• False positives (incorrect cancer diagnoses).
  A yearly breakdown from January 2020 to January 2025 (or the most recent available period).

2. NHS Cost of Misdiagnosis Claims

• The total number of claims settled, including:
• Claims successfully resolved in favour of the claimant.
• Claims dismissed or unsuccessful.
• The total financial cost of these claims, including
• Compensation paid out.
• Legal fees (if recorded separately).

3. Breakdown of Patients Diagnosed (Where Available)

• Age group of patients (e.g., under 18, 18-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-54, 55-64, 65+)
•  Gender of patients.
• (Optional) Regional breakdown by NHS Trust, if feasible.

Clarification:

Please could you use: Failure/Delay Diagnosis and Wrong diagnosis and injury codes for Cancer as well as the same for Dermatology if possible.

Please provide data from 2019/20 to 2023/24.

Please provide numbers of claims received, number of claims closed with damages paid and
associated costs and with nil damages paid. As well as NHS Trust, Gender and age group.

Download this information request [Information request for Delay Diagnosis, Wrong Diagnosis, Cancer, Dermatology (FOI_7140)]

Page last updated on: 12^th May 2025