(JustPatriots.com)- A surgeon’s office in Doncaster, England, got its Christmas message horribly wrong after it accidentally informed almost 8,000 patients that they had “aggressive lung cancer,” when it meant to say “Merry Christmas.”
According to a screenshot of the texts published by the BBC, on December 23, Askern Medical Practice sent a text to the recipient of the message stating that the recipient had “aggressive lung cancer with metastases.” The office sent out a second message to rectify the error.
“We ask that you kindly accept our sincere apologies for the prior text message that was sent. “You have received this in error,” the message read. “We wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year” should have been the message that was sent to you by us.
According to the publication, there was a gap of approximately one hour between each message sent. Askern’s surgery team was not available for comment.
Sarah Hargreaves, who was shopping when she received the original message, told the BBC that she had just had a mole removed and was awaiting a result from a biopsy, and she had been to the hospital because her pap smear test came back abnormal. “So yes, I was very worried,” she said.
After the notification, it was reportedly difficult for Hargreaves to get in touch with staff members at the hospital.
According to what Chris Reed, 57, shared with the Telegraph, he had a comparable experience while attempting to get in touch with the hospital. After the incorrect diagnosis, it seems that his partner completely broke down. Reed did end up going to the medical center, where the personnel there informed him that the message he received was a mistake and that his results were negative.
Within the span of an hour, he stated to the media outlet, the greetings changed from “you have lung cancer” to “merry Christmas.”
“Unbelievable,” he said.
Even the fruit cake must have tasted great after that experience.
