LONDON - A MAN who spent his life savings after being told he
had months to live is seeking compensation after doctors in Britain
conceded they had got the diagnosis wrong.
Mr John Brandrick, 62, was told two years ago that he had terminal
pancreatic cancer.
He decided to spend his remaining time in style, quitting his job
and spending his savings on hotels, restaurants and holidays.
A year later, doctors at the Royal Cornwall Hospital in south-west
England revised their diagnosis: Mr Brandrick was suffering from
pancreatitis, a nonfatal ailment.
'My life has been turned upside down by this,' Mr Brandrick
said.
'I was told certainly, by the doctor, that I had cancer, and from
that day I lived life in full. I was told I had limited time to
live. I got rid of everything - my car, my clothes, everything,' he
said.
Mr Brandrick said he did not want to take the hospital to court,
'but if they have made the wrong decision they should pay me
something back'.
The hospital said there was 'no clear evidence of negligence' on
its part.
'Whilst we do sympathise with Mr Brandrick's position, clinical
review of his case has not revealed that any different diagnosis
would have been made at the time based on the same evidence,' a
spokesman said. -- AP
