‘I would rather be poor’: man says money cannot compensate for partner’s death after failed cancer diagnosis

Darren Rosheski reached an out-of-court settlement with the NHS after his partner Helen Dutton died from advanced rectal cancer in August 2021. A GP misdiagnosed her symptoms as irritable bowel syndrome and hemorrhoids in late 2016, delaying her cancer diagnosis by two years until she saw another doctor and was referred for tests. Dutton died at 40, having initially been given an all-clear in June 2020 before the cancer returned.

Rosheski said compensation cannot replace his loss, stating he would rather be poor than lose Dutton. He and their daughter have suffered serious mental health problems; Rosheski has worked only one month since her death due to diagnosed PTSD and complex grief. New figures show the NHS in England has paid out nearly £190 million over five years to settle 870 claims involving misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis of cancer.