A Shipley doctor accused of failing to diagnose a patient's appendicitis was today described in Court as acting as a "conscientious GP".

Dr Mary Cuthbert from the Westcliffe Medical Centre, is being sued for a "substantial amount" for negligence by Bradford solicitor Andrew Walker.

Mr Walker has told Bradford County Court that because Dr Cuthbert had failed to spot his condition in May 1993 his inflamed appendix burst, causing him to suffer a blood clot and hernia.

Mr Walker, a father of four, from Cottingley, has made a claim for £9,000 for loss of earnings, £1,500 for DIY work he was unable to complete because of his condition and payment for 18 months of stress and clinical depression.

Today the court heard that Mr Walker's symptoms did not necessarily point towards acute appendicitis and that just because he was suffering severe pain did not mean he should have immediately been referred to hospital.

Giving evidence for Dr Cuthbert, Dr Gillian Stoobie said Dr Cuthbert's actions "were that of a conscientious GP".

Dr Stoobie, who has 28 years of GP experience and is currently advisor for West Sussex Health Authority, said: "I certainly don't think that most GPs would admit every patient with pain for two or even three days just because of that pain.

"It is the overall clinical situation that is important."

Dr Stoobie said there was no reason for Dr Cuthbert to have taken a urine sample from Mr Walker when she visited his home on May 11, because she knew a sample had already been taken by another GP and the result would shortly be available.

She added that Dr Cuthbert had examined Mr Walker "in a way I would expect a competent practitioner to. She put herself in a position as best as she could to make a diagnosis".

Dr Stoobie said it was "dangerous" for GPs to attach too much importance to the severe pain of their patients, rather than specific medical symptoms, which could give a more accurate picture. She also dismissed comments that Dr Cuthbert should have recognised that Mr Walker's condition was like "a timebomb".

She said: "There was no indication that he was suffering something that was going to explode."

Dr Stoobie said: "We teach young doctors to try not to send people to hospital unless there is a reason for it."

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