The error occurred at Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham

An 18-year-old cancer patient is not expected to survive after a

chemotherapy drug was mistakenly injected into his spine.

It is the latest in a series of incidents at different hospitals in which

doctors or nurses have blundered when giving the powerful drug vincristine.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/health/newsid_1132000/1132663.stm

Sadly, in these cases, death is inevitable

Dr Kate Law, Cancer Research Campaign

Two doctors at Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham have been suspended, and

Chief Medical Officer Professor Liam Donaldson is awaiting the results of an

internal inquiry before deciding whether his intervention is necessary.

The drug should only be delivered into the vein of the patient - and each

packet and phial is clearly marked to warn staff of the potential danger.

An expert says that the mistake has condemned the man to a slow death.

The teenage patient was having chemotherapy treatment for leukaemia when the

incident happened.

No cure

Dr Kate Law, from the Cancer Research Campaign, said: "Sadly, in these

cases, death is inevitable.

"The drug just destroys the nerves and it causes a massive inflammatory

reaction."

However, she said, it may not ultimately prove fatal for several days, or

even weeks, as the toxic drug slowly destroys vital nerves.

A hospital spokesman said an apology had already been given to the parents

of the boy who was on Tuesday in the intensive care unit at the hospital.

A statement released by the hospital revealed the drug vincristine had been

injected into the boy's spinal cord - a common route for other chemotherapy

drugs, including those often given to leukaemia patients.

The hospital spokesman said: "We wish to express our most sincere apologies

to the patient and their family for this serious mistake.

"Immediate action was taken and the patient is now in intensive care.

"The hospital has strict protocols and procedures in place for the

administration of drugs to patients. A full inquiry has been started to

discover what went wrong."

The family of the 18-year-old, who are understood to be keeping a bedside

vigil, have asked not to be named.

Professor Gordon McVie, also from the Cancer Research Campaign, said today:

"It is unspeakable that this should happen in this day and age.

"This drug should never have been given by anyone other than a consultant."

In fact, however, it is common practice for chemotherapy drugs, including

vincristine, to be given by trained nurses or junior doctors. Search BBC

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