A WOMAN dying of pancreatic cancer says she has been let down by the NHS because doctors failed to diagnose her condition despite 20 examinations.

Catherine Watkins, 55, of Rutland Avenue, Southend, spoke out because her condition continues to deteriorate. She now may not be able to take part in a charity parachute jump next month.

Mrs Watkins claims doctors failed to diagnose her condition despite 20 medical examinations since she first went to her GP.

She also said doctors failed to take action when her condition worsened and she began to get severe abdominal pain and weight loss in December last year.

She said: “I want to use the time I have left to warn other people to make sure they get the right tests, because if I had got them two years ago I wouldn’t be like this now.”

Mrs Watkins, a mum of two daughters aged 28 and 25, and a foster son aged 15, first visited her doctor two years ago after being diagnosed with diabetes.

She said: “They found I had a problem with a high white blood cell count.

“I was sent to a cancer doctor and given a bone marrow test, and eventually saw doctors more than 20 times, but they never assessed me for the right thing. I found out they should have given me a blood test called a tumour marker.

“This would have told doctors there was a tumour and then they would have just had to look for it, but I was never given that test.

“I also had all the signs of pancreatic cancer, including acute abdominal and back pain. I had acute pain in the tip of my shoulder, which I discovered is a sign of this type of cancer, and I lost two stone very quickly.”

Despite all the indications of a serious illness, Mrs Watkins says she was told she had gallstones and was refused a CT scan.

She added: “Even an ambulance driver told me my symptoms were too severe to be gallstones, so why couldn’t all those doctors see that? I feel badly let down.”

Mrs Watkins is hoping she will be well enough for her jump on October 3. She and husband Bob, 61, also have the renewal of their wedding vows to look forward to at Southend register office. To contribute to her fundraising jump, visit www.justgiving.com/catherinewatkins

Southend Hospital and the primary care trust responsible for Mrs Watkins care have both launched investigations into her treatment.

Sarah Ballard-Smith, director of nursing at Southend Hospital, said it was very sorry to hear of Mrs Watkins’s situation, and added: “We would naturally wish to investigate her concerns and would therefore invite her to contact our Patient Advice and Liaison Service office directly.”

Russ Platt, deputy chief executive for NHS South East Essex, added: “Patient confidentiality prevents us from commenting on individual cases. However the safety and care of all patients is our priority. By raising concerns with us, we are able to investigate further.

“I would advise Mrs Watkins or anyone concerned about NHS care received to contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service on 01702 224629.”