Prolonged chemotherapy case study: David Bown's story

Prolonged chemotherapy treatment at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire has sadly had a devastating and irreversible impact on David's life.
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Our medical negligence experts provide confidential advice to those affected by misdiagnosis or inappropriate treatment in brain and spinal tumour care.
By working closely with trusted experts in neurosurgery, pathology, neuroradiology and oncology, we conduct thorough reviews of tumour pathology, scan interpretations and neurosurgical decision-making to explain where diagnostic errors occurred.
We then guide you through the process to secure compensation for the physical, emotional and financial impacts of clinical errors.
We’re currently representing tens of patients across Coventry, Warwickshire and Birmingham who may have undergone years of unnecessary chemotherapy treatment (read David's story here).
Yet these issues go far beyond oncology. As reported by the BBC, recent investigations suggest a wider pattern of misdiagnosis, incorrect tumour grading, errors in neurosurgical decision-making and failures in neuroradiology and pathology service — all of which may have contributed to harmful or unnecessary treatment. These issues point to a systemic diagnostic breakdown across the Midlands.
These concerns have emerged alongside the ongoing scandal involving prolonged and inappropriate Temozolomide (TMZ) chemotherapy at University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire (UHCW), where some patients were prescribed the drug for more than a decade despite guidance recommending a maximum of six to 12 months.
Our team is accredited in medical negligence by the Law Society and members of the Society of Clinical Injury Lawyers (SCIL). As a firm, we’re recommended by The Times Best Law Firms 2025, The Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners.
We offer a free initial consultation and most claims proceed under a ‘no win, no fee’ agreement. Put simply, this means that you won’t need to pay any upfront cost for us to investigate your claim. We also provide clear advice on funding and insurance options to give you peace of mind.
Talk to us by giving us a call on 0333 004 4488, sending us an email at medneg@brabners.com or completing our contact form.
Independent reviews have found that pathology services at University Hospitals Birmingham (UHB) incorrectly diagnosed or graded tumours in multiple cases.
Examples include:
These errors shaped neurosurgical and neuro-oncology decisions, leading to (in some cases) chemotherapy and radiotherapy that may never have been needed.
Some patients have also been left permanently disabled by the neurosurgical procedures or delays in performing such procedures.
Investigations highlight failures in neurosurgical care, including:
Concerns have also been raised regarding:
Radiology errors often drove inappropriate or unnecessary prolonged treatment plans.
Despite NICE Guidance stating that TMZ treatment shouldn’t exceed six months (maximum 12 months), hospital pharmacists continued dispensing it for years without raising concerns.
Diagnosing and treating brain tumours requires coordinated input from neurosurgeons, neuroradiologists, neuropathologists and neuro-oncologists.
Yet across the cases reviewed, many patients had little or no MDT involvement.
This means that there was:


Many affected individuals have suffered:


You may need legal advice if any of the following apply to you:
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Client feedback
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Medical negligence client
“'Thank you' is just not enough to express my gratitude. You're a lovely person with a kind heart and have helped me more than you know. I’m proud to be a part of the NHS and it truly saddened me that I had to consider taking legal action against an industry that I love but you helped me understand how to channel those feelings in the right way.”
Anonymous client 'TC'

Our team of expert medical negligence solicitors has a proven track record of successfully handling brain and spinal injury and tumour negligence claims. We’re leading the national uncovering of these issues across the Midlands, representing over 30 affected patients and supporting complaints, claims and independent reviews.
We can help you to understand what went wrong and how to seek justice.
Our specialist team provides:
You can speak to us confidentially for free, no-obligation advice. We can also come to meet you where you’re located.
We offer a free initial consultation and most claims proceed under a ‘no win, no fee’ agreement.
Taking the first step can make all the difference. Talk to us by giving us a call on 0333 004 4488, sending us an email at medneg@brabners.com or completing our contact form.

“Praised for its ‘genuinely client-focused approach’, Brabners' offering encompasses specialist advice [around] clinical negligence... Key practitioners include Fiona Tinsley, who focuses on medical negligence cases.”
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Client feedback, The Legal 500


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Prolonged chemotherapy treatment at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire has sadly had a devastating and irreversible impact on David's life.
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We've uncovered clear evidence of misdiagnoses by pathology services at University Hospitals Birmingham.
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Patients affected by the extended use of adjuvant Temozolomide chemotherapy have received a letter from University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust.
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As seen on ITV's Good Morning Britain, we're calling for an extended patient safety review and independent investigation into an unnecessary chemotherapy regime.
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We’re the only solicitors to have been working with patients affected by Prof Ian Brown's long-term Temozolomide chemotherapy treatments since April 2024.
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