Scarborough woman reacts surprisingly calmly to news that she’s actually dead

A woman was alarmed to be told she was already dead after turning up for a hospital appointment.

Susan Johnson, 62, had mistakenly been recorded as deceased on government records, which even meant her benefits were briefly stopped.

She found out about the problem after arriving at Bridlington Hospital in Yorkshire to be told by a receptionist ‘Ooh you’re dead’ after showing her scan letter.

Mum-of-two Susan, from Scarborough, told the BBC: ‘I said, “pardon?” I was in shock.’

Although she was still able to have the appointment in March 2023 in the end, the experience left her ‘shaking’ – and this wasn’t the end of it.

When she phoned up the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) about her Carers’ Allowance, the call handler informed her: ‘On the computer you’re dead.’

She pointed out that she was not and was ‘still talking to you’.

Susan’s carers’ allowance for looking after her disabled husband Bob has since been reinstated, but the mix-up left her feeling confused and concerned.

The mistake happened after her GP practice removed her details from record as she had ‘died’, and then they informed the DWP.

Scarborough Medical Group told the BBC they they received an electronic instruction beforehand from Primary Care Support England (PCSE).

But a spokesperson from PCSE said it was not involved as registering patients or marking them as deceased was the responsibility of GP practices.

The issue was resolved after the GP practice updated their records.

But Susan still wants to know why it happened, and who was responsible.

‘That person, whoever has pressed a button, shouldn’t be working wherever they are,’ she said.

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