I’ve seen several news stories in the last couple of years about how Christmas is the worst time of year for heart attacks. It makes some sense. the holidays, fun as they can be, are also a pretty stressful time for many. Money, Travel, family disagreements, your doctor’s office texting you that you have terminal cancer…all of that can add up to a whole lot of extra anxiety. So please fill out this end of life form, if you don’t mind.
The mass text from Askern Medical Practice in Doncaster was sent out on December 23, according to the BBC. In it, the practice says that the doctor has asked the recipient to fill out a form DS1500 – which according another U.K. hospital system is meant for people who have a terminal illness to apply for benefits. The text also tells recipients they have been diagnosed with “aggressive lung cancer with metastases.”
In a second text, patients were asked to accept the center’s “sincere apologies.”
“This has been sent in error,” it states. “Our message to you should have read We wish you a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.”
The center, which has roughly 8,000 patients according to the BBC, has not publicly commented on the mishap. The practice’s last news release, issued in September, recognized the “excellent feedback from patients regarding telephone consultations.”
