Delay in diagnosis of appendicitis
Mary, aged 14, went to see her GP. She was accompanied by her mother. Mary complained of abdominal and back pain, vomiting and feeling hot and cold. Mary was advised to take Paracetamol and her mother was asked to ring again in case of emergency and on the following day.
The following day Mary’s mother telephoned the GP surgery. She was advised that the GP her daughter had seen the previous day was unavailable and she spoke to an individual who may have been a receptionist.
The next day Mary's mother telephoned the GP surgery again. This time she received advice from a different GP regarding her daughter’s condition. She advised the GP that Mary was no worse and no better and that she was still hurting and vomiting. Mary's mother was advised to call again if Mary got worse.
Expert evidence obtained on behalf of Mary was critical of the standard of treatment provided by both GPs. Both doctors failed to take a proper history, carry out a proper examination or refer Mary to hospital for further investigation/review.
10 days later Mary was admitted to hospital, urgently because her appendix had perforated. The following day she underwent surgery and was discharged home 3 days later. As a consequence of what had happened, however, she was re-admitted to hospital 2 weeks later suffering from a pelvic abscess and required 2 further laparotomies and a period on the High Dependency Unit. She suffered abdominal scars, stretch marks, abdominal pain and depression.
Mary pursued a claim against the 2 above mentioned GPs. No admission of liability was ever made. Mary’s case was settled for £20,000 with the assistance of Auriana Griffiths and Juanita Cumberland.