A fatal case of medical negligence has emerged after an NHS trust admitted that a prolonged diagnostic failure cost a mother-of-three her life. Kerry Pugh, from Shrewsbury, died aged 48 in June 2022 after cervical cancer went undiagnosed for more than a year, despite clear warning signs and abnormal screening results that should have triggered urgent follow-up.

Mrs Pugh had reported symptoms including abnormal bleeding for several years and underwent a cervical screening test in June 2018. The smear showed multiple cell changes, but she was incorrectly told her results were normal. No referral was made for specialist assessment, a step the hospital has now acknowledged would have identified early-stage cancer that was fully treatable.

Around 18 months later, Mrs Pugh’s condition deteriorated rapidly. She developed severe pain in her coccyx and worsening bleeding, prompting further tests. Doctors then delivered the devastating diagnosis of stage four cervical cancer. An MRI scan revealed a large invasive tumour measuring 8cm by 5cm by 5cm — roughly the size of a bar of soap. By that stage, surgery was no longer possible.

Despite undergoing a stoma operation followed by aggressive radiotherapy and chemotherapy, the disease had progressed too far. Mrs Pugh died less than two years after the original screening error.

She is survived by her husband, Stephen Pugh, and their three children: Morgan, 26, Lily, 16, and Freddie, 13. Following her death, Mr Pugh launched legal action against the University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust, which has now admitted multiple failures in her care.

The trust conceded that had Mrs Pugh been referred for specialist examination by August 2018, she would have been diagnosed with stage one cervical cancer. On the balance of probabilities, doctors said, she would have been cured through a radical hysterectomy.

Mr Pugh described Kerry as a devoted wife and mother who endured immense suffering while remaining positive for her children. He said watching her decline was unbearable and that the loss continues to define family life. Speaking publicly, he said his decision was driven by a desire to honour his wife’s memory and prevent similar tragedies.

He urged women not to delay seeking medical help or attending routine screenings, warning that ignoring symptoms or missed follow-ups can be the difference between life and death. Mrs Pugh had consistently attended cervical screening appointments and had previously undergone procedures to remove abnormal cells. She had also been diagnosed with high-risk HPV, a known risk factor for cervical cancer.

Eleanor Giblin, a medical negligence lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, described the case as deeply distressing and said the family had been left with lifelong grief. She stressed the importance of accountability and systemic learning to prevent future failures in patient safety.

In a formal statement, Dr Simon Constable, chief executive of University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust, issued an apology to the family. He acknowledged that the screening report failed to meet expected standards and said the trust remains committed to learning from the error to improve diagnostic processes across wider laboratory services, even though it no longer operates the specific screening programme.

Health officials continue to stress the importance of regular screening through the NHS Cervical Screening Programme and early investigation of symptoms such as unexplained bleeding, pelvic pain or discomfort, which can indicate serious underlying conditions if left unchecked.