C had attended an early pregnancy assessment unit where the results of a first ultrasound scan were inconclusive about whether she had an ectopic pregnancy. Arrangements were made for blood tests to be done (HCG test).
£27,000 Compensation for a 40-year-old Woman for the Failure to Diagnose Her Ectopic Pregnancy Resulting in Pain and Psychiatric Harm That Largely Resolved After Three-and-a-half Years
The next day it was confirmed after the results were back that C was pregnant and she was asked to return the next day for another blood test. At this second visit she was specifically told that her pregnancy was not ectopic and the further bloods were taken. That evening, C received a call advising her that her bloods indicated she was going to miscarry the pregnancy.
Four days later, C started experiencing pain, which was left sided and severe and she reported this. She was told this was normal for anticipated miscarriage and advised to take paracetamol and rest. C continued to suffer pain and her husband telephoned on her behalf the next day,, requesting a call back. The call was not returned until the following day, when an obstetrician arranged for an examination and scan to be undertaken the next day.
On the next morning, C felt sick and rushed to the bathroom where she vomited. She then fainted. She called her husband, got dressed and then she fainted for a second and then a third time. On coming around the third time she was unable to lift her head from the floor. Four telephone calls were required to the emergency services before an ambulance arrived as a miscarriage was not seen as an emergency. Understandably, at the time both C and her husband had understood this to be her diagnosis.
When C reached the hospital and was seen in the emergency gynaecology ward, ectopic pregnancy was suspected, and an ultrasound scan revealed a small mass in the Pouch of Douglas. A gestational sac could not be located and a diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy was made.
C underwent an emergency laparoscopy (keyhole surgery). She was found to have a distended left fallopian tube containing blood and the gestational sac. Luckily, the tube had not ruptured, but sadly, the tube could still not be saved and was removed (called a left salpingectomy ).
C alleged that on the first visit to the EPAU there was failure to diagnose or exclude ectopic pregnancy; on the second visit failure to diagnose ectopic pregnancy and wrongly advising C that she was going to miscarry; on the day of C’s calls reporting pain, failing to listen and arrange for C to return for further urgent examination and investigations.
The claim was not admitted, and liability was denied.
As well as going through pain and suffering physically, C suffered a moderate depressive episode, a generalised anxiety disorder and a psychosexual disorder as a result of her experiences. However, at the settlement date, she had largely recovered her mental health.