Dad who was given weeks to live said local NHS services 'fobbed' him off

The 37-year-old former paver from Leek, Staffordshire first visited his GP practice, Moorlands Medical Centre, with stomach pains last year.

Despite visiting Royal Stoke's A&E department at as well as making calls to the West Midlands Ambulance Service he felt failed by NHS services in North Staffordshire, deciding to visit A&E in Macclesfield.

He told Stoke-on-TrentLive he first went to the doctors 18 months ago with stomach pains, adding: "I kept being fobbed off. The doctor told me the stomach pain was indigestion."

He said: "Another time, I had chest pains that were creating pressure in my chest and I thought I was having a heart attack. The doctor said to drive myself to hospital even though I thought I was having a heart attack - it’s ridiculous. I’ve been there [to the doctors] loads of times.

"I collapsed one night and called an ambulance. I was told the wait would be five hours and my brother said 'Don’t worry, he’ll be dead then.'

"He rushed me to the Royal Stoke A&E and I couldn’t even get in because they were so busy, so I went to Macclesfield A&E and I was put on a drip and seen within an hour."

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After being examined at Royal Stoke, he was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer and was given just weeks to live.

He said: "[They] told me I have about three weeks to live, but that was eight weeks ago so I’ve beaten their assumptions and estimations. It’s incurable so I’ve just got to try to keep it at bay, but I feel like if doctors had picked up on it 18 months ago then it might not have been incurable.

“My cancer has grown downward into my stomach from the oesophagus, and out the side of my stomach like an L shape.

"It’s all in my lymph nodes so they can’t operate. One doctor said I’d need a stent, and then a second doctor said I couldn’t have a stent because it would just fall straight out."

Talking about his experience with cancer, he said: "Some days I can eat, some days I can’t. After I had my first session of chemo on the Friday, I was OK on the Saturday but not the Sunday. I felt seasick, which reminds me of being on a boat as a kid because I used to go sea fishing with my dad. I’m diabetic too.

“I was told that it’s very strange to see this type of cancer in a man my age.

"I’ve gone working seven days a week to not working at all. I was a tarmacer and really enjoyed it. I’m going to pay for my own coffin and my own funeral too."

UHNM Deputy Chief Nurse Jane Holmes told GB News: "Our Clinical Nurse Specialists have been liaising with Mr Snape and other healthcare professionals over the past few weeks to understand his treatment decisions and he has declined chemotherapy at UHNM.

"We take any concerns raised by patients seriously and I would encourage Mr Snape to speak to the Patient Advice and Liaison Team if we can investigate his concerns further."

A spokesperson for the Staffordshire and Stoke Integrated Care Board said: "Our thoughts are with the patient. We are committed to ensuring all patient concerns are dealt with appropriately. Due to patient confidentiality, we cannot discuss individual cases."

"If anyone needs help or has similar concerns, they can make a complaint via the practice or contact our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) for support. PALS is dedicated to providing support, resolving concerns, and offering guidance to ensure the best possible care and service."

Joe's family are running a fundraising event. To donate, click here.