Doctors accused parents of harming baby girl before tragic cancer death

A one-year-old girl has died from cancer after doctors initially assumed a lump on her face had been caused by her parents.

Delilah-Rai Reid-Floyd’s mum, Kayleigh, spotted the pea-sized lump while bathing her in January and booked an appointment the next day. The GP referred the baby to Russells Hall Hospital in Dudley. But instead of swift treatment, Kayleigh and her partner were accused of causing their daughter’s injury.

Kayleigh, a 27-year-old mum of five, told Birmingham Live: “When we first found the lump, I was worried as it’s always said about lumps potentially being cancerous, but I did think it could be a cyst. After the GP referred her for non-accidental injury, she was sent to Russells Hall Hospital.”

“I discovered the lump on the evening of January 30 after bathing her. I rang the GP the following morning to get her booked in. Her dad had to take her because I had to take my eldest son to an appointment elsewhere. From what her dad says, they didn’t really examine the lump, and were quick to assume it was an injury caused by one of us.”

A CT scan suggested Delilah-Rai had a paranasal cystic lesion, and Kayleigh was told her daughter would be referred to a specialist. But weeks later she found out the referral hadn’t even been made. By the time she was eventually seen in April, the lump had grown much larger.”

“After more delays, Delilah-Rai was finally seen at Birmingham Children’s Hospital. Her mum sent photos of the rapidly growing mass to push for an earlier appointment, according to the Daily Record.

By May, scans were carried out, and in June doctors said a biopsy was needed. When it was finally done in July, she was diagnosed with desmoid fibromatosis, a non-cancerous tumour, and major surgery was planned. But just days before the operation, doctors changed course and revealed she had soft tissue cancer. Surgery was deemed too dangerous.

On 5 August, the operation was cancelled and doctors began chemotherapy instead. Tragically, Delilah-Rai passed away only days later.

Her devastated mum said: “With so many delays and misdiagnoses throughout, I believe the NHS neglected her and didn’t give her the care she deserved. I believe there would have been a better chance of survival for Delilah-Rai if they had dealt with things sooner instead of delaying her care.”

“I am currently taking legal action against the original hospital and potentially the second, however I do believe they are both running internal investigations into all the delays.”

She added: “Delilah was the sweetest girl, such a character, she was cheeky and she knew it. Very very loving as well. Going forward I wish to raise more awareness for this cruel disease, but I also want the NHS held accountable for their part they played in my daughter’s passing, as you can imagine this has affected our family massively.”

A GoFundMe page has been set up to support the family. A spokesperson for Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust said: “The Trust would like to offer Delilah-Rai’s family our deepest sympathies for the loss of their daughter.”

“We are working with the family to provide them support and address their concerns. An internal review is now under way. The findings will be shared with the family and we will put any learning into place.”

Diane Wale, chief executive of The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, said: “On behalf of the Trust, I would like to extend our sincere condolences to Delilah’s family. We will look into the issues raised and speak with Delilah’s family to better understand the circumstances surrounding this sad loss.”