THE mother of a woman who died of a missed brain tumour has said the NHS “killed my daughter”.
Extreme headaches, nosebleeds and vomiting sent 40-year-old Amanda Robertson to hospital four times in nine months.
But NHS Highland medics failed to detect her brain tumour and she died at home two months after being given the all-clear.
Four years later, her parents Caroline and Monty have spoken out for the first time.
Caroline, 71, said: “It’s hard enough dealing with the death of your child, but when it’s caused by the very professionals who are there to help then it makes it all the worse.
“Amanda would still be alive if staff at Raigmore simply did their job. As far as we’re concerned NHS Highland killed our daughter and ripped our world apart.”
Amanda first met with her GP over headaches, nose bleeds, balance problems and a suspected lump in the back of her head in December 2013.
Two months later a consultant removed a nasal ulcer and suggested sinus problems may be to blame for the headaches, and when she underwent a CT scan in July 2014 no problems were found.
When the pain continued Amanda, who had autism, was diagnosed with occipital nerve neuralgia in August and scheduled for release after another Raigmore stay.
An appointment for an MRI scan was arranged for the following month, but Amanda died six days before this could take place.
After winning a legal action against NHS Highland this month, her parents from Alness want to highlight what happened in the hope it saves the lives of others.
Monty, 71, said: “Anyone who played a part in Amanda’s death needs to be held to account, at the very least so that standards improve and other families don’t go through what we have.”
Sue Grant of Digby Brown Solicitors, who helped secure the result and compensation, said: “This was a very tragic and traumatic experience for the Robertson family.”
NHS Highland was contacted for comment.
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