Jersey Neurology Department Faces Scrutiny After Brain Tumor Misdiagnosis Claim
A woman has requested improvements to Jersey's neurology department following what she states was a misdiagnosis of her brain tumor as "harmless."
Gemma Markland, 28, contacted the BBC after noticing an article concerning another Jersey patient who reported process failures in their brain cancer diagnosis. Markland indicated she has since received a diagnosis from the NHS in England and is currently undergoing treatment by specialists.
Health and Care Jersey stated it could not comment on individual cases. However, the department confirmed that an action plan for neurology has been developed based on recommendations from an independent review.
Timeline of Events
- February 2020: Markland, then a nursing student in Stoke, experienced a major seizure. She was diagnosed with epilepsy at Royal Stoke Hospital, prescribed medication, and referred for further testing.
- April 2020: Markland moved to Jersey due to the COVID-19 pandemic and had an appointment on the island. She reported that her seizures were initially dismissed as stress and anxiety related to her studies.
- Following two MRI tests: Markland was informed she had an "unusual lesion" on her brain, which she was told had "no clinical relevance." She was advised she did not need anti-epileptic medication as epilepsy was not suspected, and she did not receive further communication.
- June 2022: Markland stated she was discharged from Jersey's neurology department. She was informed no further treatment was needed, and the brain lesion was likely "harmless."
- Later 2022: Markland relocated to Dorset, where her health declined, leading to a collapse at work. She described experiencing an "impending sense of doom," slurred speech, vision loss, and numbness.
- 2025: A neurology consultant at Dorset County Hospital informed Markland that her "unusual lesion" had been misdiagnosed and was, in fact, a low-grade brain tumor. She was confirmed to have epilepsy, prescribed medication, advised not to drive, and referred to neurosurgeon teams in Southampton and Poole.
Markland's Concerns and Department Response
Markland expressed significant distress, particularly concerning four years of driving with undiagnosed epilepsy, which she deemed potentially dangerous.
Her primary concern was being removed from what she described as "life-saving treatment."
She credited the NHS for providing the correct diagnosis and necessary treatment, noting her current improved condition. Markland emphasized that while her tumor is slow-growing, for others, such delays could be critical. She advocates for improved staffing, communication, and collaboration with UK consultants within Jersey's neurology department.
Jersey's medical director, Simon West, assured islanders that an independent review of the neurology department had been published, and an action plan was in progress based on its recommendations. He acknowledged the dedication of the neurology team and mentioned that Health and Care Jersey's Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is available for confidential support.