A grandmother, Marie Stibbe, from Tiverton, Devon, sought medical treatment in India after experiencing a delay in her cancer diagnosis and treatment. Initially thought to have ovarian cancer, doctors later diagnosed her with hepatocellular carcinoma, a common form of liver cancer. Marie’s daughter, Rachael, raised concerns over the delay in starting her mother’s treatment, as the tumor had significantly grown during this time, causing complications in her liver health.

Despite the NHS standard of commencing cancer treatment within 62 days of referral, Marie faced a 92-day wait between diagnosis and treatment initiation, as highlighted in a Care Quality Commission report. Frustrated by the delayed care, Rachael sought a second opinion from a liver specialist at King’s College Hospital, who recommended further assessments and immunotherapy for Marie’s condition.

Expressing disappointment with the NHS’s decision to withhold further treatment, Rachael emphasized the lack of pain management and limited care provided to her mother. Feeling let down by the healthcare system, the family opted to explore treatment options overseas and decided on the Medanta Institute of Liver Transplantation in India. To fund the treatment abroad, they initiated a GoFundMe campaign, which has garnered support from donors.

Prepared for the costs associated with traveling and treatment, Marie is set to undergo medical care at the Indian facility, offering hope for improved treatment outcomes compared to what was offered in the UK. The family remains determined to support Marie, described as the “backbone” of their family, as they navigate this challenging journey for her health and well-being. The Royal Devon University Healthcare Foundation Trust is investigating the concerns raised by the family and has committed to addressing them directly once the investigations are concluded.