Hundreds of GP patients receive WRONG text saying they have lung cancer instead of Merry Christmas message

Patients at a GP surgery near Doncaster received a text telling them they had been diagnosed with lung cancer instead of wishing them a Merry Christmas.

Hundreds of people registered at Askern Medical Practice were sent the text in error on Christmas Eve.

The message asked for “a DS1500 for the above patient. Diagnosis — Aggressive lung cancer with metastases”.

A DS1500 is a form that people with terminal illnesses use to claim benefits while “metastases” means a cancer has spread and is almost certainly incurable.

The surgery followed up with an apology text saying: “Please accept our sincere apologies for the previous text message sent.

“This has been sent in error. Our message to you should have read We wish you a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.”

Among the shocked patients was Property Developer Chris Reed, 57, who was waiting for lung cancer test results.

The dad said his partner burst into tears as he tried to ring the surgery to find the lines were busy.

After rushing down to the health centre and demanding to see a doctor, he was told it was a mistake and his results were in fact negative.

Chris, of Norton, South Yorks told The Sun: “They went from, ‘You’ve got lung cancer’ to ‘Merry Christmas’ in about an hour. Unbelievable.”

Another patient took to Facebook to say they were "shaking and close to tears" after receiving the message.

They said: "Something's clearly not right at Askern Medical Practice. Fuming. I received this message and I'm not the only one.

"I was shaking and close to tears. Quite a few in the surgery now with the same text. I was near the surgery and walked in to say 'what the hell?'.

“I'm not the only one, but people will now be worried if they've received this text."