'Amazing' dad dies after doctors 'mistook brain tumour for computer error'

28 September 2023 , 20:02

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Joshua Warner was initially misdiagnosed with appendicitis (Image: Eve Pateman / SWNS)

An "amazing" dad has tragically died from a brain tumour after he was misdiagnosed with appendicitis.

Joshua Warner, 25, from Crayford, went to hospital with headaches and sickness in June this year and was given a CT scan. The carpenter had his appendix taken out but was re-admitted hours later after complaining of sickness. He underwent another scan, where medics found an anomaly in his brain. However, he was discharged after he was reportedly told it was down to a computer error. His family said medics referred to the anomaly as “an issue with the scan machine.”

On another occasion, the dad was allegedly accused of taking illegal drugs after a doctor found opioids in his system and failed to realise that he had been prescribed codeine. Speaking about the misdiagnosis, His mother Eve Pateman, previously said: “Josh didn’t have any pain in his stomach. But they told us the pain in his head was ‘referred pain’. So, the next day, out came his appendix.”.

Joshua's family said he wanted to make other people aware of the symptoms (/ SWNS)

The dad-of-one made several visits to A&E and was rushed to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Woolwich after he collapsed in his grandparents' house. After undergoing further tests, doctors found a huge brain tumour that had developed from the right side of his brain to the back and brain stem.

In September, a biopsy identified the tumour to be an aggressive brain cancer, midline glioma, reports Metro. His family said he was given a prognosis of three months but he passed away just 12 days later at Greenwich and Bexley Community Hospice. Eve has since paid an emotional tribute to her "brilliant" son and said he was a "prankster." She said: "He loved making people laugh. He was an amazing dad, brother and a brilliant son. He was just a fantastic man."

Baby boy has spent his life in hospital as doctors are 'scared' to discharge him

Joshua has left behind his son Andrew (Eve Pateman / SWNS)

The dad died at the young age of 25 (Eve Pateman / SWNS)

Eve said that Joshua wanted to spread awareness of the symptoms in the hopes that it would encourage others to fight for a diagnosis. The mum added: "He did not want another person to go through what he went through. We quickly began working with Brain Tumour research. He just wanted to give even during his hardest time."

A fundraiser raised almost £20,000 for his treatment. His family have confirmed the donations will be put into a fund for his four-year-old son Andrew. Eve continued: "We have been massively supported by the community and our family. People have been unbelievably generous. I have just been overwhelmed by the generosity of businesses and people. It was Joshua’s wish for the money raised to go into a trust fund for his son. It is a really beautiful legacy he has been able to leave him."

Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust are said to be investigating the case. The Mirror has contacted them for comment.

Monica Charsley