A woman from Burnley is campaigning for change after medical professionals at Blackburn and Burnley hospitals told her she was too young for a brain scan, leaving her with an undiagnosed brain tumour.

Claudia Laird, 25, started experiencing symptoms in October and Novemeber 2021 where she would get random headaches and feelings of ‘brain fuzz’.

Initially, she put this down to long shifts while on placement at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.

Lancashire Telegraph: Claudia Laird, who has a brain tumour, wasn't taken seriously by doctors Claudia Laird, who has a brain tumour, wasn't taken seriously by doctors (Image: Claudia Laird)

She said: “I was doing 12 hour day and night shifts and working extremely hard. So, I just put it down to that.

"These episodes became more frequent after Christmas until on Friday, January 7, 2022, my family had to phone an ambulance for me due to continuous vomiting, high heart rate and loss of feelings in both of my hands.”

She was taken to Blackburn Royal Hospital where she was misdiagnosed with gastroenteritis and discharged after five hours.

East Lancashire Hospitals Trust has apologised for Claudia's care and has said lessons will be learned, and it hopes to meet with her to discuss how its approach can be improved in future.

“Due to my previous work in healthcare myself I knew something just wasn’t right,” she said.

Lancashire Telegraph: Claudia Laird, who has a brain tumour, wasn't taken seriously by doctors Claudia Laird, who has a brain tumour, wasn't taken seriously by doctors (Image: Claudia Laird)

In the following days, Claudia experienced hallucinations, vomiting, memory loss and irrational thinking.

The former Read Primary School pupil said: “My mother called my GP very concerned and they said it must be to do with the ‘gastroenteritis’ I had over the weekend.

“I explained and articulated all symptoms and irrational thinking, confusion and other symptoms to the GP who said all bloods had been done and nothing major showed up.”

As the symptoms continue, Claudia was told to go to Blackburn Royal.

When she asked for a brain scan at the hospital Claudia said was reportedly told by a doctor ‘we don’t give out brain scans out willy nilly to 24-year-olds’ and was sent home.

At a later date, Claudia and her mother returned to hospital after Claudia struggled to read her laptop screen while sitting a nursing exam.

Claudia said: “We left A&E as no one was taking us seriously. A nurse even said ‘what are you doing here?’ GPs always send you here,’ in a sarcastic tone.”

Claudia received her diagnoses in mid-January 2022, after receiving two brain scans.

On January 20, she was taken to Royal Preston Hospital and had an emergency eight hour surgery to safely remove the tumour.

She said: “I was offered amazing care from Blackburn ambulatory care centre and the neurosurgery department at Preston hospital were with myself and my parents when I was diagnosed which was a very difficult situation.

“Their caring approach, dedication, professionalism, and expertise was phenomenal at such a difficult time.”

Claudia is now encouraging the public to persevere to get a diagnosis when they know something is not right.

She said: “After my ordeal I just wanted to raise awareness [and share my story] to all, especially health care professionals.

“Unfortunately, my mum who works at Pendleside Hospice, and I had to really persevere to get my diagnosis and we did not feel like we were taken seriously.

“As soon as I had the first CT scan the look on everyone’s faces changed due to the size of the tumour and how dangerous it could have led to if untreated for any longer.

“Nobody expects to be diagnosed with a brain tumour at any point in their life and it came as a complete shock for myself and my family.

“The speed of diagnosis and treatment for me was paramount for a positive outcome and prognosis, I dare not think what the outcome would have been if my mother and myself had not persisted with telephoning the GP and going to hospital.”

Claudia has since been campaigning and fundraising. In March 2022, she walked 10,000 steps a day and raised £2,000 for charity.

She said: “I am determined to continue raising money for people affected by brain tumours and for more research and earlier diagnosis.

“Fingers crossed I will return to full health, and I am ready to now live life to the fullest as the preciousness of life has really hit me.

“You start to see things differently and every moment matters. I see the smallest things that we take for granted differently. For example, sunsets, nature, morning coffees and being with my family and friends.

“My recent scan unfortunately showed a growth in my tumour, and I am currently in preparation to start further treatment in the coming months.”

Dr Jawad Husain, Executive Medical Director for East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust said: "The Trust is indebted to Claudia for sharing her experiences and her bravery in raising these issues is inspiring. It is clear from her feedback that she has been critically ill and we’re pleased to hear she is now recovering well. 

"Whilst there are positives to take from her story, there is also lots to learn and we’re sorry she was left to feel unheard and uncared for during her diagnosis. We’d be keen to know more and would hope to meet with her to discuss further and provide an opportunity for her to help us to improve. 

“We think it is fantastic that she is going to be an advocate and increase awareness of this condition and its presenting symptoms and we’d love to work with her on this, both in the Trust itself, wider healthcare system and in the local community.”