Prison's repeated misdiagnosis leaves inmate with ruptured appendix after six days

A prisoner suffered a burst appendix after medical staff at a prison repeatedly misdiagnosed her condition. Despite showing clear symptoms over six days, she was initially told she had a stomach bug. The delay led to a nine-day stay at a general hospital before her discharge on 14 July.

The prisoner first reported severe abdominal pain, fever, and vomiting—classic signs of appendicitis. Nurses assessed her but failed to recognise the urgency, dismissing her symptoms as a minor illness. Over the following days, her condition worsened, yet no proper examination or monitoring took place.

The prison faced staff shortages and high turnover at the time, with no permanent health centre manager in place. After six days of worsening symptoms, a medical officer finally ordered blood tests. The results prompted an urgent referral to the general hospital, where surgery confirmed the burst appendix.

An investigation by the Health and Disability Commissioner later found the Department of Corrections had breached patient rights. The report highlighted missed warning signs, including high fever, localised pain, and elevated white blood cell counts—all of which should have triggered earlier intervention. The commissioner ordered the prison to issue a formal apology to the prisoner.

Following the incident, the prison introduced changes to prevent similar failures. These included hiring a clinical quality assurance advisor and increasing medical officer hours to improve oversight.

The prisoner was discharged from the general hospital on 14 July after a nine-day stay. The case exposed gaps in prison healthcare, leading to policy adjustments and stricter monitoring. The Department of Corrections must now ensure staff follow proper diagnostic procedures to avoid further breaches.