Current:Home > NewsA U.K. medical office mistakenly sent patients a text message with a cancer diagnosis -SecureWealth Bridge
A U.K. medical office mistakenly sent patients a text message with a cancer diagnosis
View
Date:2025-04-23 11:52:03
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! (5555)
Related
- Federal court filings allege official committed perjury in lawsuit tied to Louisiana grain terminal
- The famous 'Home Alone' house is for sale: See inside the revamped home listed at $5.25 million
- Washington Post said it had the Alito flag story 3 years ago and chose not to publish
- Jerry Seinfeld reflects on criticism from pro-Palestinian protesters: 'It's so dumb'
- Sarah J. Maas books explained: How to read 'ACOTAR,' 'Throne of Glass' in order.
- RHOC's Heather Dubrow Teases Shannon Beador, Alexis Bellino, John Janssen Love Triangle Drama
- As federal parent PLUS loan interest rate soars, why it may be time to go private
- Why Gypsy Rose Blanchard Doesn't Want to Be Treated Like a Celebrity
- Meet the volunteers risking their lives to deliver Christmas gifts to children in Haiti
- NASA discovers potentially habitable exoplanet 40 light years from Earth
Ranking
- Nearly half of US teens are online ‘constantly,’ Pew report finds
- Heather Dubrow Reveals Husband Terry Dubrow's New Mounjaro-Inspired Career Move
- Mike Tyson said he feels '100%' after receiving medical care for 'ulcer flare-up'
- The famous 'Home Alone' house is for sale: See inside the revamped home listed at $5.25 million
- Why Sean "Diddy" Combs Is Being Given a Laptop in Jail Amid Witness Intimidation Fears
- Wu-Tang Clan’s unreleased ‘Once Upon a Time in Shaolin’ is headed to an Australia museum
- Royal Family Quietly Removes Prince Harry’s 2016 Statement Confirming Meghan Markle Romance From Website
- Pregnant Francesca Farago Details Recent Hospital Visit Due to “Extreme Pain”
Recommendation
A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
Judge nixes bid to restrict Trump statements that could endanger officers in classified records case
Minnesota Timberwolves avoid NBA playoffs sweep against Dallas Mavericks
ConocoPhillips buying Marathon Oil for $17.1 billion in all-stock deal, plus $5.4 billion in debt
What to watch: O Jolie night
Mayorkas says some migrants try to game the U.S. asylum system
Jan. 6 officers to campaign for Biden in battleground states
Proof Ariana Madix Might Be Done With Vanderpump Rules