Health board apologises after misdiagnosing woman's cancer as 'swimming infection'

A consultant at Bronglais Hospital told Kathleen Howe she was suffering with a swimming infection - but it was a tumour Credit: ITV Wales

A husband has been awarded tens of thousands of pounds of compensation from a Welsh health board after his wife's cancer was misdiagnosed as a swimmer's ear infection.

Kathleen Howe, 67, of Aberystwyth, died after an NHS consultant spent two years saying the tumour in her head was "swimmer's ear" - and she was given drops to treat it.

An investigation found Mrs Howe had a "90 to 100 per cent" chance of survival if she was diagnosed in time. Health chiefs admitted negligence - and gave her husband Alan an out-of-court settlement with an apology for her death.

The couple were due to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary next year.

She was sent to Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth by her GP in June 2010 after suffering dizzy spells. But she was told that she had otitis externa - commonly known as "swimmer's ear" - and was given ear drops.

More than a year later Mrs Howe was referred to Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen where she was found to have a cancerous tumour known as a squamous cell sarcinoma. She died in July 2012.

In a statement the health board said: