Hannah Robinson

Eight-year-old Ruben Troy was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia after weeks of severe pain, pallor, bruising, difficulty walking and weight loss. His mother, Ffion Smith, says doctors and urgent-care staff initially attributed his symptoms to gastritis and a poor diet, recommended Gaviscon and did not order blood tests despite repeated visits. Blood tests on June 29 confirmed the cancer. Ruben has since undergone two rounds of chemotherapy and a lumbar puncture and is recovering at home. Smith remains angry about the alleged delays and is urging parents to persist in seeking medical attention when they believe something is wrong. NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board expressed sympathy but said it could not comment on the individual patient's care.