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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 Adshead | Sharon 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 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." |
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