Overview

• Senior coroner Samantha Goward reported that public announcements by high‑profile figures are encouraging care‑seeking but have contributed to a rise in cancer referrals and longer waits.
• In Michael Moore’s case, an abnormality noted in July 2023 led to a biopsy only after an emergency admission in April 2024, by which time incurable bladder cancer was identified.
• The coroner concluded Moore died of natural causes but said diagnosis and treatment were delayed by lengthy waiting lists, describing a missed opportunity for earlier intervention.
• Evidence from the local hospital trust indicated initial progress on waits later declined, which it attributed in part to increased referrals linked to celebrity disclosures, with NHS England acknowledging persistent capacity constraints.
• The formal report alerts NHS England to systemic diagnostic pressure and seeks action to reduce future risk, with no new national policy responses reported.