A Perth widow is bravely coming forward to share her devastating experience with NHS Tayside, seeking urgent changes in patient care after her husband, Gordon Lafferty, succumbed to terminal cancer just weeks after his symptoms were reportedly dismissed as psychological.
Gordon, a respected 74-year-old businessman and a beloved figure in the local community, passed away on August 21, leaving behind a heartbroken family. His wife, Margaret, believes his death was made crueler by what she describes as a series of misdiagnoses and a failure to adequately investigate his deteriorating health.
For decades, Gordon was a pillar of the Perth community. In 1979, he founded The Bedroom Centre in Perth with a modest £200, building it into a well-known local enterprise. He remained actively involved in the business until very recently. Beyond his entrepreneurial spirit, Gordon was remembered as an ardent footballer whose professional dreams were cut short by injury. Those who knew him best affectionately described him as a “true gentleman, and truly a gentle man”—a testament to his kind and honourable character. He was a devoted husband, doting father to Claire, Hazel, and Scott, and a cherished grandfather. This vibrant life, however, took a tragic turn six months ago when he first fell ill.
The ordeal began on a Sunday evening in March when Gordon experienced sudden weakness in his arm and leg, accompanied by his left eye rolling back. Margaret, recognizing the signs, immediately contacted emergency services, referencing the ‘Act FAST’ stroke awareness campaign. Despite her concerns, paramedics were initially hesitant, only agreeing to transport him to Perth Royal Infirmary (PRI) after further consultation.
Upon arrival at PRI’s Accident and Emergency department, the couple endured an agonizing wait of several hours. Margaret recounted her repeated attempts to convey the urgency of Gordon’s condition, only to be told that the department was overwhelmed with limited staff. Exhausted and disheartened, Gordon eventually returned home without a definitive diagnosis or treatment. The following morning, prompted by their GP, Gordon was directed to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee, where, eighteen hours after his first symptoms, a stroke was finally confirmed.
During his two-week admission at Ninewells, Gordon developed severe stomach pains and persistent vomiting. Doctors attributed these symptoms to diverticulitis, advising dietary changes such as avoiding nuts and tomatoes. Despite these issues, initial scans and blood tests did not indicate any underlying severe conditions, leading to a focus on the diverticulitis diagnosis.
However, once back home in Perth, Gordon’s condition worsened dramatically. His appetite vanished, leading to rapid weight loss. Every attempt to eat, even a simple sip of soup, resulted in violent vomiting. Margaret’s pleas for further investigation were met with reassurances that his symptoms were likely linked to the stroke, medication side effects, or even psychological factors, with suggestions of psychiatric support. Margaret, trusting the medical professionals, was left bewildered as she watched her husband waste away, a cupboard full of prescriptions offering no real answers.
By July, the relentless vomiting became unbearable, prompting Margaret to drive Gordon back to Ninewells herself. It was during this visit that a new perspective emerged. Doctors noted an old scar from a childhood spleen removal and hypothesized it might be causing a bowel obstruction, necessitating exploratory surgery. The truth revealed during this operation was shattering.
The surgeon, visibly shocked, informed Margaret that Gordon’s internal organs were “riddled with cancer” and that the disease had spread throughout his stomach lining. There was nothing more they could do. When Gordon bravely asked for a prognosis, the answer was brutal: “Weeks.” He was told he would never eat again, effectively starving to death.
In his final weeks, Gordon expressed a profound desire to be at home, to find comfort in his own bed and in Margaret’s embrace. They remained at home until his very last hours, when, for his safety and care, he was reluctantly moved to the Cornhill Macmillan Centre. He passed away there, surrounded by his loving family.
For Margaret, her immense grief is now intertwined with a fierce resolve. She believes her husband’s prolonged suffering and eventual death could have been mitigated if his initial and persistent symptoms had been thoroughly investigated. She highlights a critical need for doctors to truly listen to patients and their families, to avoid dismissive attitudes, and to ensure that diagnostic tests are comprehensive and reliable. She also pointed to recent reports indicating that NHS Tayside’s urgent cancer treatment wait times are among the worst in Scotland.
“The system is broken,” Margaret asserts, emphasizing that her criticism is directed at the broader healthcare structure, not the nurses, whom she describes as “wonderful.” She fears that other individuals in Perth and Kinross may be enduring similar harrowing experiences, with potentially tragic consequences due to systemic failings.
In response to Margaret’s concerns, a spokesperson for NHS Tayside extended “sincere condolences to Mr Lafferty’s family.” Citing patient confidentiality, they stated they could not comment on individual cases but confirmed that Mr. Lafferty’s family had previously raised concerns that were investigated, with the findings shared directly with them. NHS Tayside further invited the family to contact their patient experience team to discuss any additional concerns.
Gordon, a respected 74-year-old businessman and a beloved figure in the local community, passed away on August 21, leaving behind a heartbroken family. His wife, Margaret, believes his death was made crueler by what she describes as a series of misdiagnoses and a failure to adequately investigate his deteriorating health.
For decades, Gordon was a pillar of the Perth community. In 1979, he founded The Bedroom Centre in Perth with a modest £200, building it into a well-known local enterprise. He remained actively involved in the business until very recently. Beyond his entrepreneurial spirit, Gordon was remembered as an ardent footballer whose professional dreams were cut short by injury. Those who knew him best affectionately described him as a “true gentleman, and truly a gentle man”—a testament to his kind and honourable character. He was a devoted husband, doting father to Claire, Hazel, and Scott, and a cherished grandfather. This vibrant life, however, took a tragic turn six months ago when he first fell ill.
The ordeal began on a Sunday evening in March when Gordon experienced sudden weakness in his arm and leg, accompanied by his left eye rolling back. Margaret, recognizing the signs, immediately contacted emergency services, referencing the ‘Act FAST’ stroke awareness campaign. Despite her concerns, paramedics were initially hesitant, only agreeing to transport him to Perth Royal Infirmary (PRI) after further consultation.
Upon arrival at PRI’s Accident and Emergency department, the couple endured an agonizing wait of several hours. Margaret recounted her repeated attempts to convey the urgency of Gordon’s condition, only to be told that the department was overwhelmed with limited staff. Exhausted and disheartened, Gordon eventually returned home without a definitive diagnosis or treatment. The following morning, prompted by their GP, Gordon was directed to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee, where, eighteen hours after his first symptoms, a stroke was finally confirmed.
During his two-week admission at Ninewells, Gordon developed severe stomach pains and persistent vomiting. Doctors attributed these symptoms to diverticulitis, advising dietary changes such as avoiding nuts and tomatoes. Despite these issues, initial scans and blood tests did not indicate any underlying severe conditions, leading to a focus on the diverticulitis diagnosis.
However, once back home in Perth, Gordon’s condition worsened dramatically. His appetite vanished, leading to rapid weight loss. Every attempt to eat, even a simple sip of soup, resulted in violent vomiting. Margaret’s pleas for further investigation were met with reassurances that his symptoms were likely linked to the stroke, medication side effects, or even psychological factors, with suggestions of psychiatric support. Margaret, trusting the medical professionals, was left bewildered as she watched her husband waste away, a cupboard full of prescriptions offering no real answers.
By July, the relentless vomiting became unbearable, prompting Margaret to drive Gordon back to Ninewells herself. It was during this visit that a new perspective emerged. Doctors noted an old scar from a childhood spleen removal and hypothesized it might be causing a bowel obstruction, necessitating exploratory surgery. The truth revealed during this operation was shattering.
The surgeon, visibly shocked, informed Margaret that Gordon’s internal organs were “riddled with cancer” and that the disease had spread throughout his stomach lining. There was nothing more they could do. When Gordon bravely asked for a prognosis, the answer was brutal: “Weeks.” He was told he would never eat again, effectively starving to death.
In his final weeks, Gordon expressed a profound desire to be at home, to find comfort in his own bed and in Margaret’s embrace. They remained at home until his very last hours, when, for his safety and care, he was reluctantly moved to the Cornhill Macmillan Centre. He passed away there, surrounded by his loving family.
For Margaret, her immense grief is now intertwined with a fierce resolve. She believes her husband’s prolonged suffering and eventual death could have been mitigated if his initial and persistent symptoms had been thoroughly investigated. She highlights a critical need for doctors to truly listen to patients and their families, to avoid dismissive attitudes, and to ensure that diagnostic tests are comprehensive and reliable. She also pointed to recent reports indicating that NHS Tayside’s urgent cancer treatment wait times are among the worst in Scotland.
“The system is broken,” Margaret asserts, emphasizing that her criticism is directed at the broader healthcare structure, not the nurses, whom she describes as “wonderful.” She fears that other individuals in Perth and Kinross may be enduring similar harrowing experiences, with potentially tragic consequences due to systemic failings.
In response to Margaret’s concerns, a spokesperson for NHS Tayside extended “sincere condolences to Mr Lafferty’s family.” Citing patient confidentiality, they stated they could not comment on individual cases but confirmed that Mr. Lafferty’s family had previously raised concerns that were investigated, with the findings shared directly with them. NHS Tayside further invited the family to contact their patient experience team to discuss any additional concerns.