Hi - my name is Steve, I am 51 years old, I was a Paramedic until diagnosed and I used to work in Medical Research for Cancer Research UK.

My Story...........

After resigning from the NHS in order to complete further education, I developed a breathing problem in early 2020 I struggled and pleaded to see my GP from March 2020 until November 2020 (Dr BN Kulkarni, Trinity Medical Centre, Blythe Bridge, Stoke-on-Trent). He refused to see me or refer me for 8 months despite making 20 phone calls to the surgery, having 4 telephone consultations and despite my expertise as a Paramedic and Cancer Researcher.

I also completed 3 detailed online asthma forms on the GP Surgery web site to try and highlight the seriousness of my concerns.

I attended accident and emergency in desperation, who referred me back to my GP.

I sent two e-mails to Stoke Hospital requesting help and assessment stating I had a left upper lung problem, 6 months before left upper lung cancer was diagnosed.

I contacted private clinics but given COVID was prevalent and I had a breathing issue, they would not see me.

I only obtained a GP appointment and reluctant routine referral (NOT URGENT) after I sent a legal letter.

I have now been diagnosed with a terminal, stage 4, inoperable lung cancer. I have never smoked and have been fit and well, I am only 48 years old.

I had been pleading for referral for 8 months and this will clearly be extremely detrimental to outcome. The Cancer would likely have been curable when I began pleading for referral in March 2020.

Now all I can do is try to raise some funds to help those in a worse position than myself.