Hendry -v- Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust
The Claimant was a 71 year old male who had previously been diagnosed with diabetes. He was insulin dependent.
On 6 March 2005 the Claimant was admitted to the A & E Department at East Surrey Hospital and was diagnosed as having had a stroke.
On 8 March 2005 the Claimant became incontinent of urine. A catheter was inserted through the penal shaft. On 11 March 2005 the catheter was removed but the Claimant continued to be incontinent of urine. By 16 March 2005 blood tests showed protein in the urine and the Claimant’s blood pressure dropped and he became systemically unwell.
No antibiotics were prescribed. By 26 March 2005 the Claimant was incontinent of both urine and faeces and had a severely swollen groin. A urological opinion was sought but no further action taken. By this time the scrotal area was grossly distended.
The Claimant’s condition deteriorated further and by 28 March 2005 the scrotal area turned black. On 2 April 2005 the Claimant was diagnosed with Fournier’s gangrene of the scrotal area and underwent emergency surgery to remove the left testis, tissue and skin from the penal shaft and the urethra. The Claimant subsequently required extensive skin graftings and the Claimant was left with a permanent indwelling catheter.
The primary allegations of negligence against the Defendant were:-
a. That they failed to diagnose a urinary tract infection and failed to appreciate that by virtue of his pre-existing condition of diabetes that the Claimant was at a greater risk than norm of developing gangrene.
b. Failed to administer appropriate antibiotics in a timely fashion. Failed to identity at an early stage that septicaemia was developing.
After service of the Letter of Claim liability was admitted by the Trust and the Claimant received substantial damages. The claim was settled within 18 months from the date of instruction.