Conservative treatment following radiological findings of primary diverticulitis: South Metropolitan Health Service v Westcott

The decision in South Metropolitan Health Service v Westcott acts as a reminder of the importance of good documentation and the involvement of senior clinicians in patient care. In a case examining a public hospital's management of sigmoid diverticulitis and appendicitis, the WA Court of Appeal has allowed a hospital's appeal on all grounds. The patient alleged that breaches of duty by a radiologist and surgeon, and a surgical fellow, caused delay in the diagnosis of appendicitis and surgical intervention. The WA Court of Appeal held that the patient's primary condition was sigmoid diverticulitis, that there had been secondary inflammation of surrounding organs of the lower abdomen including the appendix, and a radiologist who reported the correct primary condition did not breach his duty of care or misdirect the surgeon.