NHS chiefs have apologised for failing to diagnose terminal cancer in a Netherton woman, writes Nigel Canham.

Julia Rogers (above), 58, saw GPs on 17 occasions and was twice taken to Torbay Hospital's accident and emergency unit with severe back and abdominal pain.

Although she was given an ultrasound scan and blood tests medics failed to detect advanced pancreatic cancer.

According to Cancer Research UK the condition has 'a very poor outlook overall'.

Only three out of every 100 people diagnosed with it survive for 10 years.

Mrs Rogers was referred to an NHS gastroenterologist for further screening but she decided not to wait and instead paid £600 for a private scan.