Father, 25, dies from brain tumour after doctors misdiagnosed him with appendicitis and dismissed brain scan ‘anomaly’ as ‘computer error’

A young father-of-one died from a brain tumour that doctors incorrectly diagnosed as an appendicitis, his family have claimed.

Joshua Warner, from Crayford in south east London, went to hospital in June after two weeks of suffering from headaches and being sick. 

Medics gave him a CT scan and told the 25-year-old he had an appendicitis and he underwent surgery to remove the organ.

However, when the self-employed carpenter still felt unwell, he underwent further tests which revealed an anomaly on his brain. However, this was dismissed as a computer error, his family say.

It was only weeks later when he collapsed and was rushed to hospital that his brain tumour was confirmed. He died 12 days later.

His family, who say Mr Warner was an ‘amazing dad’ and ‘fanatic man’, said they are sharing his story in the hopes that others won’t suffer the same experience.  

Joshua Warner (pictured with son Andrew), from Crayford in south east London, went to hospital in June after two weeks of suffering from headaches and being sick

Medics gave him a CT scan and told the 25-year-old he had an appendicitis and he underwent surgery to remove the organ

Mr Warner went to Darent Valley Hospital in late June where he underwent surgery for an appendicitis — a painful swelling of the appendix. 

But a few hours after arriving home, he was re-admitted to the hospital as he still felt sick.

His mother, Eve Pateman, from Bexleyheath in south east London, said when he saw the medical team the following day, they told him there was ‘nothing wrong’ with his appendix.

Another scan revealed an anomaly on his brain. But doctors said this was a computer error and discharged him, his family say.

Back-and-forth trips to Darent Valley Hospital’s A&E continued and Mr Warner was repeatedly turned away.

But just weeks later, he collapsed in his grandparents’ bathroom and was rushed to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Woolwich for another CT scan. 

The results matched the previous scans and within 24 hours, Mr Warner was told he had a large brain tumour that had spread from the right side of his brain to the back and brain stem.

He was moved to an oncology ward.

On September 5, he had a biopsy and was diagnosed with a highly aggressive brain cancer, midline glioma.

The grade 4 tumour — meaning it is cancerous and often comes back after treatment — is fast-growing, likely to spread and difficult to remove via surgery. 

Headaches, nausea and fatigue are among the key symptoms, along with problems with walking, coordination and balance and weakness in the arms and legs.

Patients survive for eight to 11 months from diagnosis, on average. 

Mr Warner’s family were told he had three months to live but he died just 12 days later at Greenwich and Bexley Community Hospice.

His mother said: ‘He wanted to share his story as he did not want anyone else to not be believed. He wanted to highlight the symptoms of a brain tumour.’

She said: ‘Josh was fun, he loved making people laugh.

‘He was a prankster, and had a beautiful soul and a really kind heart and I think that was why most people fell in love with him. He touched people’s hearts.

‘He was an amazing dad, brother and a brilliant son. He was just a fantastic man.

‘He was so very brave, I cannot quantify how brave he was through all of this. He never moaned. I think I would be feeling sorry for myself, but he never once did that.’

However, when the self-employed carpenter still felt unwell, he underwent further tests which revealed an anomaly on his brain. However, this was dismissed as a computer error

It was only weeks later when he collapsed and was rushed to hospital that his brain tumour was confirmed. He died 12 days later

His family, (father David Warner and mother Eve Pateman, pictured) who say Mr Warner was an ‘amazing dad’ and ‘fanatic man’, said they are sharing his story in the hopes that others won’t suffer the same experience

Ms Pateman added: ‘He did not want another person to go through what he went through. We quickly began working with Brain Tumour research. He just wanted to give even during his hardest time.’

The medical examiner told Ms Pateman a report is being sent to the coroner’s office.

Ms Pateman said: ‘There is no question about the cause of his death, but it is because of his treatment and to see if there were any missed opportunities.’

A fundraising page raised nearly £20,000 to fund treatment for Mr Warner but will now be put into a fund for his four-year-old son Andrew.

Ms Pateman said: ‘We have been massively supported by the community and our family. People have been unbelievably generous. I have just been overwhelmed by the generosity of businesses and people.

‘It was Joshua’s wish for the money raised to go into a trust fund for his son. It is a really beautiful legacy he has been able to leave him.

‘He loved his son so very much and it is heart breaking to see Andrew asking where his dad is.’

When he was diagnosed his family felt let down by Darent Valley Hospital and were in the process of filing a complaint about his care.

A spokesperson for the Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust said it was examining the case.