(Image: Newsquest)
A BRADFORD cancer patient has claimed the treatment he received at the BRI surrounding the taking of a high-dose drug was incorrect and "could have killed" him.
Military veteran Mark Collier, 64, who is being treated for stage four cancer, alleges staff failed to follow required hydration procedures before and after he received methotrexate in May.
He says the alleged failings have had a significant impact on both his physical health and mental wellbeing.
Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said it takes all patient concerns "extremely seriously" and that the issues raised by Mr Collier have been investigated.
The Queensbury man said: "I feared for my life while this was going on. I could've died."
Mr Collier at his home
(Image: Newsquest)
The allegations
Mr Collier alleges he was started on high-dose methotrexate without receiving the correct amount of hydration before and after treatment.
He claims he did not receive the correct hydration before treatment began and that subsequent errors in the administration of intravenous fluids were later identified as breaches of procedure.
According to the NHS, the hydration process is regarded as a critical part of high-dose methotrexate treatment because it helps the body clear the drug and reduces the risk of serious kidney toxicity and other complications.
Mr Collier believes the incident placed him at significant risk.
Mr Collier undergoing treatment
(Image: Mark Collier)
'I'm scared to death'
Mr Collier described the lasting effect the incident has had on his physical and mental wellbeing.
"I'm frightened to death going into this place every time I go to an appointment," he said.
"I'm devastated.
"I'm ex-military, I've cried myself to sleep.
"I'm scared to death. Every time I get an appointment for that hospital, I panic, I hate it."
'I do not feel right'
Mr Collier said he now fears attending hospital appointments and believes the methotrexate treatment may have contributed to ongoing physical symptoms.
He said: "I get serious headaches; I'm struggling with sleeping.
"I'm having this pain in my side.
"I do not feel right."
Mr Collier with all his paperwork
(Image: Newsquest)
Complaints stretch back to 2025
Alongside his concerns about the methotrexate treatment, Mr Collier has raised a number of other complaints relating to his care at Bradford Royal Infirmary.
One relates to an incident in November 2025 when he was due to undergo what he understood to be an urgent CT scan after doctors discovered his cancer had spread and needed to assess whether there was a risk of it affecting his spinal column or brain.
Mr Collier alleges that after being taken from Ward 33, a ward porter who arrived to transfer him disappeared and a cleaner became involved in transporting him instead.
He claims he was required to walk up and down stairs and travel across the hospital despite being disabled, seriously unwell and in severe pain.
“I was in agony,” he said.
According to Mr Collier, when he arrived at the CT department, staff informed him there was no emergency scan booked and that the wrong patient had been brought to the department.
The Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust added that Mr Collier's concerns have been investigated thoroughly, and detailed responses will be provided to him soon.
Complaint handling 'very poor'
He has also complained about the way his concerns have been handled.
Mr Collier said he has received little communication regarding earlier complaints and has lost confidence in some senior nursing leadership.
He has described the handling of his complaints to date as "very poor".
He also expressed concerns about the safety of other patients.
Response from BRI
Responding to the concerns, a spokesperson for Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: “We take all patient concerns extremely seriously and are committed to providing safe, high-quality care.
“Mr Collier has raised several concerns relating to different episodes of care.
“These concerns have been investigated thoroughly, and detailed responses will be provided to him soon.
“We recognise Mr Collier's service as a military veteran.
“As a Veteran Aware organisation, we are committed to supporting members of the Armed Forces community.
“Our veterans lead made direct contact with him during his care to offer support and signposting to services available to veterans.
“We remain committed to working with Mr Collier through the complaints process and ensuring his concerns are fully considered.”