A CORONER has criticised Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital for missing an X-ray which could have led to an earlier cancer diagnosis for a man who sadly died last year.

Maurice Davison, known as Mo, from Hartley Wintney died at home on September 20, 2020, from a cancer called mesothelioma, caused by asbestos exposure, an inquest was told today (April 15).

Winchester Coroner’s Court heard that the retired builder, 83, was admitted to Basingstoke hospital in early 2020, and X-rays were done, which were never reviewed ahead of his discharge.

Area coroner Rosamund Rhodes-Kemp said: “The problem came because the person who ordered the x-ray did not review it."

The coroner referenced a report for the Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (HHFT), which said that the x-ray had not shown up as needing review on its “paperless system” which makes the process “more challenging”.

The trust went on to say that “new servers” which were due to be introduced last month “should eradicate the problem”.

Ms Rhodes-Kemp added: “The sad reality is it made very little difference because of the progress of his condition. It may not have impacted on Mo’s life expectancy, but x-rays do need to be reported and reviewed.”

She said she would be contacting specialists at Frimley Park Hospital for a second opinion, and would also be contacting HHFT to ask for an update on the new, improved system.

“I am going to take it up with Basingstoke [hospital] and make sure that either this new computer is in place, or ask what is in place to stop this happening again.

“I think everyone was doing their best for him at Basingstoke, but the process needs to be tightened up so x-rays don’t get missed.”

Mr Davison worked on construction sites around Hampshire for most of his adult life, having started in the industry in the 1980s with his father, Jim, and brother, David.

In 1994, he was in a serious motorbike accident in Hatch Warren, Basingstoke, in which his brother David sadly died.

Mr Davison broke both his legs. He suffered a number of blood clots, and had a hip replacement, but otherwise remained fit.

Jeanette Burton, a close friend of Mr Davison who visited him every week and helped him with household chores, described him as a “very strong man”.

“I’ve ridden every ride with him - he had a few knocks in his life, that’s for sure,” she said.

She added: “He was such a kind and gentle man, a really lovely person and a very close friend.”

In May 2020, Mr Davison received his cancer diagnosis after being urgently referred for scans at Frimley Park Hospital by his GP, after he presented with weight loss and back pain.

It was clear that he was “too frail for invasive management” but was, at his request, able to remain at home with carers coming in twice a day.

Eventually, the family was able to secure a live-in carer, Annie, who they credit with the care of Mr Davison.

“They bonded so well and fitted so well because she was a gentle girl,” said Ms Burton.

“She probably gave him another two months of happy life. We would all like to publicly thank Annie for her immeasurable care and dedication to Mo.”

However, while Mr Davison was only diagnosed in May 2020, it is thought he was suffering with it much longer.

Ms Burton said: “He probably had it going on a year before he was diagnosed.

“We know that Maurice would not have been able to come through it, but it could happen to someone else, where there's a chance that they could have treatment.”

The coroner recorded a verdict of industrial disease.