Doctor found guilty of misconduct

Press, 27 June 1987, Page 12

Doctor found guilty of misconduct

PA Dunedin A doctor who failed to diagnose cervical cancer in a patient aged 62, has been found guilty of professional misconduct. The woman was treated for more than six months by her general practitioner for depression and i a urinary infection. The decision from the medical practitioners’ disciplinary committee says the woman showed no leading signs of the cancer.

There were no other investigations to ascertain possible other causes of her incontinence and general symptoms, even though she was not improving. “Her family requested specialist consultation, but this did not occur.”

The committee’s decision, published in the latest “New Zealand Medical Journal,” said Dr A. (his name is suppressed) was

in gross error in assuming

his patient’s symptoms were because of depression, and over six months his management of the gproblem had, fallen “far short” of the medical care a patient was entitled to expect. .>, ' , •>< Laboratory tests- had shown urinary infection was not a continuing problem, arid Dr A, who had a diploma in obstetrics and was experienced, should have undertaken a pelvic examination.

However, the patient’s life “would not have been saved if the presence of cervical carcinoma had beeri established within the nine months prior to her death,” the committee said. As well as being found guilty of professional

misconduct,. Dr A was ordered to pay a $5OO penalty to the Medical Association and to pay inquiry costs of $4399.