GP fails to follow guidelines for insertion of contraceptive implant Implanon
Samantha had been taking the oral contraceptive pill, Cerazette, for over one year. However, she wanted to consider alternative methods of contraception and went to see her GP to discuss other options.
Her GP advised her that the contraceptive implant, Implanon, would be suitable for her. She was told it would need to be inserted into her upper arm, and that a pregnancy test would need to be done before it was inserted. Samantha assumed that, given the GP’s advice, he would ask her for a urine sample at her next appointment.
Samantha returned to the GP after one week. She had finished her period some days before the appointment. Samantha’s GP did not ask her for a urine sample, he simply inserted the implant. In doing so he ignored both his own original management plan to perform a pregnancy test prior to insertion, as well as the British Medical Association and Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain Formulary, which states that insertion of Implanon must occur between days 1 - 5 of a woman's menstrual cycle.
Following insertion of the implant, Samantha began to gain weight around her stomach and breasts. She felt nauseous, particularly in the mornings, and so she went to see her GP about this after a few weeks. The GP told her she was simply gaining weight.
Samantha continued to gain weight and, dissatisfied with her GP’s advice, she attended a local NHS walk-in centre. She was examined by a doctor and a urine sample was taken. She underwent an ultrasound scan which confirmed she was 18 weeks pregnant. This meant that she was already 3 weeks pregnant when she attended her GP to have the contraceptive implant fitted.
Samantha decided to terminate the pregnancy. She had to undergo a surgical termination under general anaesthetic. Had the pregnancy been diagnosed when she attended her GP for the insertion of Implanon as it should have been, Samantha would have been able to undergo termination using medication, and she would therefore have avoided the difficult surgery under general anaesthetic.
Samantha was extremely traumatised by these events and underwent counselling sessions to help to come to terms with her situation.
With the help of clinical negligence solicitor Emma Rush, Samantha pursued a claim against her GP and an award of compensation was made.