Health · Healthcare & Policy · 1 hr ago
Inquest finds missed follow-up delayed diagnosis of Welsh man's eye cancer
A Welsh inquest found that Alexandar McDonald’s recommended eye follow-up was missed after a scan raised concerns in June 2022.
The consultant had advised another appointment in six months, but none was arranged.
At a check-up in June 2023, another scan led to a diagnosis of choroidal melanoma, an eye cancer.
The coroner found McDonald could have been diagnosed six months earlier and started treatment sooner.
The cancer later spread to his liver, and he died in November 2025 at age 70.
The coroner warned that patients across Wales face significant risk, with 140,000 ophthalmology follow-up appointments awaiting review and 65 consultant ophthalmologists available.
The Welsh government said lessons must be learned from the failings, but no further action was specified.
An inquest found that missed follow-up delayed the diagnosis of Welshman Alexandar McDonald’s eye cancer by six months.
McDonald, 70, died from metastatic choroidal melanoma at Grange University Hospital in Cwmbran on 30 November 2025.
A consultant had recommended another review six months after an appointment in June 2022, but no follow-up appointment was arranged.
A routine check-up in June 2023 led to a further scan and an eye cancer diagnosis.
The coroner said earlier follow-up could have led to an earlier diagnosis and treatment, and warned that patients in Wales were at significant risk.
- Who
- Alexandar McDonald, a 70-year-old man.
- What
- An inquest found missed follow-up delayed his eye cancer diagnosis by six months.
- When
- He died on 30 November 2025; the missed follow-up was recommended after an appointment in June 2022.
- Where
- Grange University Hospital in Cwmbran, Torfaen, Wales.
- Why
- A recommended review appointment was not arranged, delaying diagnosis and treatment.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
McDonald attended an urgent ophthalmology appointment after a routine eye test, and a consultant recommended a review in six months.
A routine check-up and further scan led to an eye cancer diagnosis.
McDonald died at Grange University Hospital in Cwmbran.
- Patient
- Alexandar McDonald, aged 70
- Cancer
- Metastatic choroidal melanoma
- Missed review
- Recommended six months after the June 2022 appointment
- Death
- 30 November 2025, Grange University Hospital, Cwmbran
- NHS capacity
- 140,000 ophthalmology follow-up appointments awaiting review; 65 consultant ophthalmologists available
What people are saying
vital that lessons are learned from this tragic case, caused by unacceptable failings in the management of referrals