Agonising eight month delay for vital medical procedure has tragic consequences for WA father

Michael Lannigan had to wait eight months for a colonoscopy after getting a referral from his GP, only for it to be too late. The father-of-four, now 47, complained over and over again that his symptoms were getting worse. His doctor also urged for him to be seen as soon as possible. But when he finally had the procedure at Rockingham General Hospital, it revealed Mr Lannigan had terminal cancer. The rare and aggressive mucosal melanoma has since spread to his brain and lungs. Law firm Slater and Gordon has taken up his case and he is suing the hospital over the colonoscopy delay. “Now that the cancer has metastasised to his brain and lungs, the eight-month delay in diagnosis has significantly reduced available treatment options,” Practice Leader in Medical Law, Sarah Marshman, told The West Australian. Mr Lannigan, who worked as a crane operator, said his “world imploded” after the diagnosis. “I’ve lost everything. Work stopped, I’m mentally disconnected, and my world imploded,” he said. Mr Lannigan, of Singleton, near Mandurah, first experienced concerning symptoms in June 2024. He didn’t receive the colonoscopy until March 2025. He said the wait was “very frustrating”. “I was in so much pain that it brought me to tears a few times. Sometimes I wouldn’t eat because I knew I would be in so much pain if I had to go to the toilet. “I played rugby for years, so I was used to pain on many levels, but this kind of pain was overwhelming.” “Mr Lannigan and his family didn’t suffer in silence during those agonising eight months between referral and diagnosis,” Ms Marshman added. “The family repeatedly contacted Rockingham Hospital to follow up on his referral status, citing his worsening symptoms. “Instead of getting answers, they were repeatedly told his referral status was Category 3. In other words, it wasn’t considered urgent. “Despite his rapidly deteriorating health, staff told the family there was no need for Michael to attend the Rockingham Emergency Department for assessment,” Ms Marshman said. As Michael’s pain intensified in late 2024, he saw his GP on multiple occasions. Ms Marshman said his doctor sent yet another referral to Rockingham Hospital urging that his condition be treated as high risk and that he needed to be assessed as soon as possible. “We allege that a competent hospital system with clear categorisation criteria would have recognised the gravity of Michael’s status, especially with his family history of cancer, and placed him in a more urgent risk category,” Ms Marshman said. “If Mr Lannigan’s referral was listed as a category one – the most urgent classification – he would have received his urgent colonoscopy within 30 days. As a result, Michael has undergone more invasive and aggressive treatment than may otherwise have been necessary.” The law firm claims the ordeal caused Mr Lannigan severe psychological and emotional trauma, leaving him with anxiety, depression, and insomnia. His cancer diagnosis meant he couldn’t work as a crane operator and has significantly limited his daily activities and family life. Mr Lannigan said he and his partner couldn’t understand the eight month delay. “We felt overloaded and that put unnecessary stress on us, it has been a strain on us,” he said. “The stress has been overwhelming.” Mr Lannigan is imploring others in similar situations to trust their instincts and fight to get seen or heard.. “Take it further if you feel that you aren’t being taken seriously, or just overlooked, and make sure you get heard,” he said. “No matter how small or insignificant you may think your symptoms are, push to get it looked at sooner rather than later as you know when something doesn’t feel right with your body, so make sure someone listens.” Ms Marshman echoed the sentiment. “When something doesn’t feel right, it’s important those concerns are properly heard and investigated,” she added. “People should feel comfortable to ask lots of questions of their healthcare provider, or seek a second opinion. It’s also important to keep records and documentation, and to seek legal advice if you believe your standard of care may have fallen short.” South Metropolitan Health Service, which includes Rockingham General Hospital, said it extended its deepest sympathies to Mr Lannigan and his family “during this distressing time.” “Our priority is ensuring patients receive compassionate, high quality, patient-centred care,” a spokesperson said. “Out of respect for patient privacy and legal obligations, we are unable to comment on an individual’s circumstances or the details of their care.”