Stroke victim who accused hospitals of medical negligence settles case against health district
An elderly man who accused multiple hospitals of medical negligence has settled his case. Subscribe now for unlimited access. or signup to continue readingAll articles from our websiteThe digital version. . .
An elderly man who accused multiple hospitals of medical negligence has settled his case. Subscribe now for unlimited access. or signup to continue readingAll articles from our websiteThe digital version ofToday'sPaperAll otherin your areaJohn Dopper, now 83, sought damages from the Western NSW LHD based on the claim that he suffered a stroke because of the care he received at Condobolin and Orange hospitals. The stroke, suffered when he was 78 years of age, left him with "considerable neurological injuries". On December 3, 2021, Mr Dopper had an ultrasound which suggested he suffered carpal tunnel syndrome. Orange Hospital. Picture by Riley KrauseSix days later he attended a surgical consultation where it was recommended that he undergo surgery. The procedure took place on December 22 at Dudley Private Hospital and he was discharged the same day. A report prepared by a court of law into the case stated hours after the surgery, Mr Dopper developed numbness of the left arm and left side of his face, blurred vision and a speech disorder. "He felt slow and dizzy for the remainder of the evening," the report added. The next day he recommended taking his blood thinning medication and his overnight symptoms had been resolved by the morning. On December 26, Mr Dopper presented for the first time at Condobolin District Hospital with numbness to the left side of his face and leg. He was assessed and later seen by a doctor via audiovisual link (AVL). "The doctor recorded that he explained the risk of transient ischaemic attack (TIA) and that neuroimaging would be needed to confirm whether one had occurred," the court documents read. "He further explained that a TIA can be a sentinel event for a major stroke and also offered to transfer the plaintiff to Orange Hospital for review and investigation. "However, Mr Dopper declined and was thereafter discharged. Condobolin Hospital. Picture by NSW Health ServiceTwo days later he once again presented at Condobolin Hospital. Mr Dopper was unsteady on his feet, had facial numbness, slurred speech and was assessed by a different doctor via AVL, who was "relying" on the nurse's examination. The doctor noted the left-sided weakness discussed two days earlier was no longer present but that Mr Dopper felt "washed out", "unsteady on his feet" and was having trouble focusing on the newspaper. "He advised (Mr Dopper) to present to a facility with a face-to-face doctor (and, preferably, a CT scan) for formal neurological examination," the court documents added. "Mr Dopper was discharged without a diagnosis or a plan but was admitted to Orange Hospital later that day. A CT scan was performed, and a conclusion made that there were "subacute areas of infarction involving the right MCA and PCA territories with areas of petechial haemorrhage but no large haematoma or mass effect". Acting on the report, a doctor arranged for Mr Dopper to be reviewed for a full stroke work up. Orange Hospital. Picture by Riley KrauseA fourth doctor concluded the CT results were likely caused by a cardioembolic stroke in the context of atrial fibrillation. It was determined that Mr Dopper's blood thinning medication was to continue and no neurology consultation was requested. A doctor did recommend that Mr Dopper undergo an MRI the next day, but he refused "due to his severe claustrophobia". He was discharged to the care of his family on December 29. The plan on discharge consisted of continuing his regular medications, no driving for four weeks post-stroke, GP review in one week and instructions to return to an emergency department should he experience certain symptoms. On January 2, 2022, Mr Dopper returned to Orange Hospital's emergency department. He reported ongoing intermittent left facial numbness but no new complaints. He was reviewed by a doctor who assessed him as asymptomatic and safe for discharge. Orange Hospital. Picture by Riley KrauseThe very next day, Mr Dopper once again presented to Orange Hospital's emergency department, this time with deteriorating symptoms. He was experiencing worsening left facial numbness, left facial droop, dysarthria and left arm paraesthesia. Mr Dopper was admitted to the coronary care unit and then discharged three days later with a change in his medication. "It appears that (Mr Dopper's) condition worsened over the balance of January through to March," court documents read, while stating he was assessed on March 17 whilst an inpatient at Dudley Private Hospital. "By this stage, he was wheelchair-bound, relied on a hoist and sling and also required maximum assistance for showering and dressing. "He grieved his loss of independence. "Mr Dopper was later admitted to Ascott Gardens Aged Care Facility in Orange. His wife relocated from Condobolin to a rental property in Orange to be closer to her husband, later selling the Condobolin home. Court proceedings were filed in May 2025 against the WNSWLHD. It was alleged that the health district breached its duty of care in failing properly to review, recognise the significance of, and properly respond to Mr Dopper's symptoms each time he presented to hospital. It was further alleged that the health district was wrong to discharge Mr Dopper on December 26, 28 and 29 2021 without a diagnosis or adequate treatment plan. Five months later and the health district "steadfastly denied" that its conduct caused any harm to Mr Dopper, adding the scope of liability did not extend to the harm allegedly suffered by him. "The defendant asserted that any injury was the materialisation of an inherent risk which the exercise of reasonable care and skill could not have been avoided. "In March 2026, mediation took place between the two parties and the health district made a monetary offer, of which the dollar amount has not been made public. This offer was accepted by those acting on behalf of Mr Dopper, with the funds to be used "solely" for his care, medical treatment and other living expenses. The matter was formally approved by a judge on July 23. As it happensBreaking news alertBe the first to know when news breaks.