A review of patient safety errors in cancer diagnosis.

This article reports on the National Patient Safety Agency's recent review of incidents that have resulted in harm to patients and even in death, in patients on a cancer diagnosis pathway. Errors include: failure to report results of investigations in good time; poor communication between health professionals and departments as well as poor communication with patients; cancellation of investigations due to failure to confirm availability of specialist staff or equipment; and errors in clinical assessment. The report makes five recommendations for improvements in patient care.