Laura Barlow,a 33-year-old mother of three,tragically passed away just four months after being misdiagnosed during a phone consultation with her GP.Her husband, Michael, who held her in his arms as she took her last breath, is now advocating for an end to remote medical appointments, calling for a return to in-person consultations to prevent similar tragedies.
Laura and Michael, newlyweds and parents to three young children—Bella-Mia, Summer-Akye, and Bonnie-Rae—were living what seemed like a dream life. But in October 2023, Laura began experiencing alarming symptoms, including abdominal pain and blood in her stool. During a phone call with a GP at stickney Surgery in Lincolnshire, she was diagnosed with endometriosis. The doctor prescribed painkillers and scheduled a follow-up gynaecology appointment at Pilgrim Hospital.
Two months later, while at work, Laura was struck by excruciating abdominal pain.Michael rushed her to seek medical help, but instead of seeing a GP, they were directed to the urgent Treatment Centre (UTC) at the hospital. There, Laura was given morphine to manage the pain. After waiting for over two hours, they were told that since Laura was already under treatment for endometriosis, there was little the attending doctor could do.
Michael recounted the ordeal: “We went to Urgent Care, and she was assessed. They gave her morphine for the pain. After two hours of waiting, we saw a doctor who told us that because she was already seeing a doctor for endometriosis, there was no point in him dealing with it as well.”
Laura Barlow passed away just months after her initial GP phone consultation.
A week later, on New Year’s Eve, Laura was rushed to the hospital again due to severe abdominal pain. She was advised to return on January 2 for an ultrasound scan. The scan revealed lesions on her liver, and she was placed on a two-week cancer pathway. By mid-January, Laura was admitted to Pilgrim Hospital’s A&E department, where she was finaly diagnosed with cancer.
“It was a shock when we heard she had cancer,” Michael said. “We thought if it was the liver, they could cut a bit out, and you can live without it. We thought she would be okay.”
On February 2,the family was supposed to be on a holiday at Centre Parcs,creating cherished memories with their children.Rather, Laura’s health rapidly declined, and she passed away, leaving Michael and their three young children heartbroken.
Michael is now urging healthcare providers to reconsider the reliance on remote consultations, emphasizing the need for thorough, in-person examinations to catch life-threatening conditions early. “Laura deserved better,” he said. “No family should have to go through this.”
This heartbreaking story underscores the importance of accurate diagnoses and the potential risks of remote healthcare. It serves as a reminder to advocate for complete medical care and to push for systemic changes that prioritize patient safety and well-being.
Michael is being supported by his family as he raises his three children as a single parent
michael and Laura, along with their children, spent their final family holiday together at CenterParcs. Despite the joyous moments, Laura’s health was rapidly declining. Confined to a wheelchair and relying on morphine to manage her pain,she fought to create lasting memories with her loved ones.
just days after their return, Laura’s condition worsened. On February 6, she passed away peacefully in Michael’s arms. Reflecting on that heartbreaking moment, Michael shared, “I had phoned her dad to meet me at the house to help. The doctors had given her some stuff to make her relaxed. We fell asleep together, she was in my arms. I woke up to the others telling me, ‘Mike, she’s gone.’”
Michael’s grief is compounded by the belief that earlier medical intervention could have made a difference. “It makes me angry because it is all about what if,” he said. “Could they have caught it earlier? Could we have had longer?”
Michael believes that if blood tests had been taken earlier, Laura may have had a better chance of surviving
Laura’s diagnosis came as a devastating blow. During a consultation with her sister present, the couple learned that 95% of her liver and bowel were affected by cancer, and her condition was terminal. “They told her to go home and spend time with our kids,” Michael recalled.
Now, as a single father raising their three children, Michael is channeling his grief into advocacy. He is calling for mandatory face-to-face GP appointments, arguing that earlier in-person consultations might have led to a quicker diagnosis. His online petition has garnered over 130,000 signatures, reflecting widespread support for his cause.
Michael is now calling for face-to-face GP appointments to be mandatory and has received more than 130,000 signatures on an online petition
Michael’s story is a poignant reminder of the importance of timely medical care and the profound impact of losing a loved one.His determination to advocate for change in healthcare practices is a testament to his love for Laura and his commitment to ensuring others don’t face similar tragedies.
Michael’s Fight for Change: A story of Loss, Love, and Advocacy
Michael and Laura were newly married when she started experiencing pain in her abdomen.
Michael’s voice trembles as he recalls the moments that changed his life forever. “I’m not saying she wouldn’t have died, but could we have got another six months together?” he asks, his words heavy with grief. Nearly a year after losing his wife, Laura, Michael is navigating life as a single father to their three young children, aged two, three, and ten.
“I have a fantastic family who support me every day as much as they can,” he shares. “But it’s hard. My three-year-old keeps asking if mummy is coming home. I tell her she’s with nanny now, and they’re both watching over us.”
Laura’s passing was not just a personal tragedy but a catalyst for change. Steadfast to prevent others from enduring a similar ordeal, Michael launched a petition urging the government to mandate face-to-face consultations for all GP appointments. The response has been overwhelming, with over 130,000 signatures collected so far.
“A lot of people have told me it has pushed them to see a doctor instead of talking on the phone,” Michael explains. “If a person says they would like to see a doctor, they should have that right. If someone had seen her, things may have been different. My wife never got that right.”
The United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust, which oversees Pilgrim Hospital and stickney Surgery, expressed their condolences. “The NHS in Lincolnshire would like to again extend our deepest condolences to laura’s family,” a spokesperson said. “Patient confidentiality means we are unable to comment on individual cases, but we will continue to speak to Laura’s family about their concerns as appropriate.”
Michael’s story is a poignant reminder of the human cost behind policy decisions. His fight for change is not just about honoring Laura’s memory but about ensuring that others have the prospect to be heard, seen, and cared for when they need it most.
