No compo after misdiagnosis

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Gerlaine Moult visited Middlemore Hospital's emergency department four times in 2011 with symptoms including severe headaches, a stiff neck and numbness on one side.

The Pukekohe woman was told she was stressed and needed a holiday.

After paying for a private MRI at a cost of $2500, she was diagnosed with a 5cm by 7cm tumour at the base of her skull, compressing her spinal cord.

The tumour was removed, leaving her paralysed. The 32-year-old has since regained her mobility but still suffers from weakness on one side and a lack of sensation on the other.

However ACC (Accident Compensation Corporation) says her outcome was not affected by the delay in diagnosing the tumour.

ACC spokeswoman Stephanie Melville said the corporation acknowledged the failure to provide adequate treatment, but Mrs Moult did not sustain a personal injury as a result.

In reaching the decision, clinical records were considered along with external clinical advice from a GP, emergency medicine specialist, neurologist and neurosurgeon.

ACC found the care provided by Mrs Moult's GP in May 2011 was appropriate.

"After considering the clinical evidence and opinions, we found there was a failure to provide adequate treatment when Mrs Moult presented to the emergency department in July 2011."

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No compo after misdiagnosis