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GP failed over cancer diagnosis GP failed over cancer diagnosis
(about 6 hours later)
A GP was negligent when she failed to diagnose a woman with breast cancer who later died, a judge has ruled.A GP was negligent when she failed to diagnose a woman with breast cancer who later died, a judge has ruled.
Dr Sarah Tottle was a newly-qualified locum at the Queen's Road surgery in Portsmouth, when Sharon Adshead complained of a lump in May 2000.Dr Sarah Tottle was a newly-qualified locum at the Queen's Road surgery in Portsmouth, when Sharon Adshead complained of a lump in May 2000.
Dr Tottle did not refer the 32-year-old insurance worker to a specialist and also told her the lump was benign.Dr Tottle did not refer the 32-year-old insurance worker to a specialist and also told her the lump was benign.
Mr Justice Gray awarded Mrs Adshead's widower, Martin, £325,000 damages plus costs at Winchester District Court.Mr Justice Gray awarded Mrs Adshead's widower, Martin, £325,000 damages plus costs at Winchester District Court.
The court heard how there was a delay of 15 months, during which time she gave birth to the couple's son, Logan, before Mrs Adshead was finally diagnosed.The court heard how there was a delay of 15 months, during which time she gave birth to the couple's son, Logan, before Mrs Adshead was finally diagnosed.
Sharon was a loving wife and wanted to be great mother for Logan Martin AdsheadSharon was a loving wife and wanted to be great mother for Logan Martin Adshead
The court heard she had sought further treatment after experiencing some difficulty with breast feeding.The court heard she had sought further treatment after experiencing some difficulty with breast feeding.
Despite chemotherapy and a mastectomy, the cancer spread and she died in January 2003, aged 35.Despite chemotherapy and a mastectomy, the cancer spread and she died in January 2003, aged 35.
Mr Adshead brought the action against Dr Tottle, who denied the claims and who now lives and works in Western Australia.Mr Adshead brought the action against Dr Tottle, who denied the claims and who now lives and works in Western Australia.
In a lengthy judgment, Justice Gray described Dr Tottle's examination as "impeccable" but said Mrs Adshead should have been referred to a specialist urgently, in line with Department of Health guidelines at the time.In a lengthy judgment, Justice Gray described Dr Tottle's examination as "impeccable" but said Mrs Adshead should have been referred to a specialist urgently, in line with Department of Health guidelines at the time.
He also said Dr Tottle had not been clear about the importance of Mrs Adshead returning to review the situation a month later.He also said Dr Tottle had not been clear about the importance of Mrs Adshead returning to review the situation a month later.
'False security''False security'
"I have no doubt that Dr Tottle meant well but I am satisfied that she failed to advise Mrs Adshead of the need to attend for review and the importance of breast clinic referral and gave her a false sense of security," Mr Justice Gray said."I have no doubt that Dr Tottle meant well but I am satisfied that she failed to advise Mrs Adshead of the need to attend for review and the importance of breast clinic referral and gave her a false sense of security," Mr Justice Gray said.
"In these respects Dr Tottle was in my view negligent in her management of Mrs Adshead.""In these respects Dr Tottle was in my view negligent in her management of Mrs Adshead."
He added that if Mrs Adshead had been diagnosed immediately she would have survived for 10 years but the late diagnosis meant this was not possible.He added that if Mrs Adshead had been diagnosed immediately she would have survived for 10 years but the late diagnosis meant this was not possible.
Dr Tottle was refused permission by the judge to appeal the decision. Dr Tottle was refused permission by the judge to appeal against the decision.
After the hearing, Mr Adshead said: "Sharon was a loving wife and wanted to be great mother for Logan. The case was all about us getting justice for Sharon and the family."After the hearing, Mr Adshead said: "Sharon was a loving wife and wanted to be great mother for Logan. The case was all about us getting justice for Sharon and the family."