Ms J complained that her GP Practice misdiagnosed her appendicitis, which delayed treatment. She felt that she lost an ovary because of the delay, and she was also unhappy about the Practice's complaint handling.
What happened
Over seven months, Ms J saw various GPs at the Practice with ongoing pain in her lower abdomen and side. Doctors diagnosed her with a urinary tract infection, constipation, stress and irritable bowel syndrome.
Ms J developed appendicitis and went into hospital, where clinicians removed her appendix. Surgeons also removed one of her ovaries, which had become gangrenous. The gangrene was caused by a cyst that had become wrapped around Ms J's fallopian tube and cut off its blood supply.
Ms J was dissatisfied by the Practice's response when she complained, so she came to us. She was concerned that losing one ovary meant she should start a family as soon as possible and she wondered whether she would start her menopause early.
What we found
The Practice should have carried out tests and referred Ms J earlier for investigation of her symptoms. The Practice had not ruled out other causes of Ms J's symptoms before it gave her a diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome.
Our gynaecology adviser said that the loss of one ovary would not reduce Ms J's fertility, and there was no evidence that having one ovary meant the menopause would start earlier than otherwise. The Practice had included this information in its response to Ms J's complaint.
Putting it right
The Practice apologised to Ms J and acknowledged the failings we found. It also put a plan in place to make sure lessons were learnt from what had happened.
A GP practice
Essex
Did not apologise properly or do enough to put things right
Apology
Recommendation to learn lessons or draw up an action plan