Lung 'blunder' man in NHS talks

Mr Ball has met representatives from NHS Grampian

A man who had a lung removed after being misdiagnosed with cancer has met health board officials.

Laurence Ball, who lives in Shetland, had surgery at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary to remove a tumour on his lung.

However Mr Ball, 58, was later told there had never been cancer in the organ.

He said he was preparing court action for damages against the health board. Representatives from NHS Grampian have since met him for talks.

NHS Grampian earlier said it deeply regretted, with hindsight, the procedure that former firefighter Mr Ball underwent may not have been necessary.

The problems started when Mr Ball suffered a chest infection in May 2005 and was sent for tests at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.

He was told he had cancer in his left lung and underwent surgery in August 2005 to have a tumour removed.

But after the operation he was told by surgeons that he did not need chemotherapy as there had been no cancer in his lung.