£31,500 for Delayed Diagnosis of Ectopic Pregnancy

A woman who underwent emergency surgery following delays in diagnosing an ectopic pregnancy has been compensated by the NHS trust responsible for her care.

Shortly after discovering that she was pregnant, the woman went to see her GP, complaining of spotting and lower abdominal pain on one side. However, she was not referred for a scan until seeing her GP again shortly afterwards.

A week before the scan was scheduled to take place, her symptoms worsened and she went to A&E. A blood test was taken but a scan was not performed. She later had a second blood test which indicated the possibility of an ectopic pregnancy, a condition where a fertilised egg implants itself outside the womb, usually in one of the fallopian tubes. However, she was advised to wait for her scheduled scan.

Two days later, she collapsed and was taken by ambulance to hospital, where an ectopic pregnancy was confirmed. Her left fallopian tube had ruptured and she underwent emergency surgery to remove it.

After she sought legal advice, an expert medical report was obtained which concluded that the ruptured fallopian tube and the need for emergency surgery could have been avoided with earlier treatment. A claim was brought against the NHS trust, which admitted liability and accepted that an ultrasound should have been carried out within 24 hours of her attending A&E. Negotiations led to her claim being settled for £31,500.