Woman shocked after turning up to hospital scan to be told by doctors she was already 'dead'

There's plenty of things you might get told when you turn up to a hospital appointment - 'you're in the wrong place', 'it's been rescheduled' or 'you're going to be in for a bit of a wait' are quite popular retorts.

But imagine strolling up the reception desk and being informed that you are already dead.

Now, that's a new one.

Poor Susan Johnson said she was left 'shaking like a leaf' after staff at the Bridlington Hospital in Yorkshire explained that according to their records, she was supposed to have been six feet under for the last four months.

The retired housekeeper, 62, told how her 'angry' husband Bob had to take her for a strong coffee to settle her nerves following the bizarre mix-up.

Discussing the alarming conversation she had before her hospital appointment was set to take place in March last year, Susan told BBC News: "I gave them my letter and their first words were, 'ooh you're dead'.

Susan Johnson was left stunned when hospital staff informed her she was supposedly dead (BBC/Susan Johnson)

She continued: "I said, 'Pardon?' I was in shock.

"Then they put something on the computer so I could have the scan and then they just said, 'bye' and that's it."

Despite the fact her scan still went ahead, the mother-of-two realised that being wrongly listed as dead is quite a complicated pickle to claw your way out of.

Because of the barmy error, Susan's carer's allowance - which she receives for looking after Bob, who is disabled - was briefly stopped.

The mum, from Sheffield, explained that she was forced to get in touch with her GP to inform them that she was still alive and kicking, who told her that the mistake had been rectified.

But when she later contacted the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), the puzzled call handler is said to have told Susan that she was still listed as deceased on their system.

Her husband Bob had to take her for a hot drink to calm her down (BBC/Susan Johnson)

The frustrated mum then had to explain that she was in fact still breathing and responded by saying: "I'm not [dead], I'm still talking to you."

Although her benefits were reinstated, Susan explained that the mix up really took a toll on her life.

"I shut down completely," she recalled. "I didn't talk or anything, I was in my own little bubble. It was very hard, there was no one to talk to."

Now, over a year after the incident first unfolded, Susan still doesn't feel at peace with the situation as she hasn't received any answers - although she is determined to get to the bottom of it.

The BBC reported that Scarborough Medical Group claimed to have received an electronic instruction from Primary Care Support England (PCSE) indicating that Susan should be removed from their records.

They said that her GP surgery took immediate action to resolve the issue after they were alerted, while NHS England said it was aware of an issue involving an incorrect civil death registration later rectified by the patient's GP.

Topics: Health, NHS, News, UK News, Mental Health

Olivia Burke

Olivia is a journalist at LADbible Group with more than five years of experience and has worked for a number of top publishers, including News UK. She also enjoys writing food reviews (as well as the eating part). She is a stereotypical reality TV addict, but still finds time for a serious documentary.

@livburke_