HOSPITAL bosses have paid out a six-figure sum to a Hampshire man who sued for negligence after doctors failed to request a crucial scan which might have shown his appendix had perforated.
Philip Russell, 42, was awarded the damages after the Winchester and Eastleigh Healthcare NHS Trust agreed to make a settlement.
It covers the pain, suffering, loss of earnings and the risk of future complications as a result of his mis-diagnosis.
Mr Russell, a self-employed chartered surveyor, was commuting to London for work in 2003 when he fell ill. His partner was pregnant with their son.
He began suffering abdominal pains and was admitted to the Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester. Scans and X-rays were done and he was told he would need an exploratory operation.
His solicitor, Michael Berrett, a specialist in medical negligence cases at solicitors Charles Lucas & Marshall said: "In fact, prior to this, Mr Russell's appendix had already perforated and there were indications of this on an ultra-sound report which were not taken into account by the treating doctors.
"Unfortunately the perforated appendix was only found at surgery and Mr Russell's recovery was complicated by intestinal obstructions which required further operations."
After discharge from hospital, Mr Russell, of Andover, needed four more operations and was unable to return to work for several months.
"The independent expert who we asked to assess the case told us that it had been sub-standard on the part of the hospital not to undertake a CT scan in the first few days after admission," said Michael Berrett.
"This should have been sufficient to indicate whether the appendix was susceptible to treatment by antibiotics only or whether earlier surgery should have been performed."
In a statement, the trust said: "Winchester and Eastleigh Healthcare NHS Trust is pleased that a reasonable settlement has been agreed with Mr Russell. An apology was sent by our chief executive to Mr Russell and the Trust wish him and his family all the best for the future."
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