Ms M suffered severe abdominal pain and diarrhoea in June 2022. She called NHS 111 and was advised to attend Fairfield Hospital (Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust) where she was diagnosed with gastroenteritis.
Ms M returned 3 days later due to worsening pain and significant fever. A CT scan was performed but was felt to be reassuring.
8 days after the original contact, Ms M was finally diagnosed with a perforated appendix, leading to a laparoscopic appendicectomy. Following the surgery, two drains were inserted into the pelvic region, and Ms M was subsequently discharged. However, she experienced complications due to a dislodged drain, necessitating a second surgery.
Ms M was told that she may have suffered a negligent delay. She instructed Brindley Twist Tafft & James to investigate.
An expert witness in Accident and Emergency Medicine was instructed. Their opinion was that the care provided by the doctor who discharged Ms M during the first visit fell below the expected as they merely revisited the history without conducting a proper examination.
A Consultant Radiologist was also instructed given concern over the reporting of the initial CT scan. That expert felt that the CT scan was negligently reported as it failed to document areas of free gas and did not adequately address appendicitis as a potential diagnosis.
Finally, a surgical expert was instructed. They were critical of the failure to consider and attempt to rule out appendicitis from the first attendance. They also commented upon the effects of the delay in diagnosis and surgery.
Liability was admitted and the claim settled for £28,000.
