Suffolk women says husband would still be alive if he'd got better care at Ipswich Hospital
Gavin died when cancer spread to his brain
Last updated 28th Feb 2023
A Suffolk woman's told Greatest Hits Radio her husband would still be alive today if he'd had better care from the NHS.
Gavin Matthews suffered a stroke back in November and had to get a bus to the hospital after his ambulance was cancelled twice.
He has since passed away due to cancer spreading to his brain.
His wife Lauren told us the cancer was visible on a scan Gavin had in 202O but the hospital missed it: "I can't bring him back but what I can do is get him justice, because he didn't need to go.
"It could have been prevented."
She tells us the ordeal has made her lose faith in the country's health system: "The treatment he received in November was appalling, with two ambulance cancelling on him.
"It's then even worse to find out he could have been treated... they've done nothing but fail my husband...
"When he died I couldn't even think. I was in pieces. I felt sick.
"I was just constantly crying by his bedside trying to cuddle him and comfort him - no words can explain the pain.
"When he actually passed, I screamed out and and went around looking for a defibrillator. I was panicking, trying to bring him back. The nurses had to sit me down because I was hyperventilating."
Lauren paid tribute to her partner: "He was my soulmate, my rock, my security.
"He was absolutely everything to me. No one could ever replace him.
"He was so loving... funny.
"He's my best friend."
What does the hospital say?
Martin Mansfield is Deputy Chief Medical Officer at the East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Ipswich Hospital:
“We were extremely saddened to hear of Mr Matthews’ death. We have recently spoken with his family but would strongly urge them to contact us if they would like to discuss any issues.”