Hollier v Sutcliffe [2010] NSWSC 279 (23 April 2010)

NEW SOUTH WALES SUPREME COURT

CITATION:
Hollier v Sutcliffe [2010] NSWSC 279

JURISDICTION:

FILE NUMBER(S):
20002/08

HEARING DATE(S):
16 - 24 November 2009

JUDGMENT DATE:
23 April 2010

PARTIES:
Samantha Hollier (Plaintiff)
Dr Rachel Sutcliffe (Defendant)

JUDGMENT OF:
R A Hulme J

LOWER COURT JURISDICTION:
Not Applicable

LOWER COURT FILE NUMBER(S):
Not Applicable

LOWER COURT JUDICIAL OFFICER:
Not Applicable

COUNSEL:
Mr C Barry QC with Mr P Beale (Plaintiff)
Mr G Gregg (Defendant)

SOLICITORS:
CMC Lawyers
Sparke Helmore

CATCHWORDS:
TORTS
medical negligence
essentials of action for negligence
duty of care
special relationships and duties
professsional persons
standard of care expected of General Practitioner pursuant to Section 5O of Civil Liability Act
TORTS
proof of negligence
weight and credibility of evidence
TORTS
reasonable foreseeability of damage
particular cases
affecting particular professions or occupations
application of Section 32 of the Civil Liability Act
TORTS
damage
causation
generally
application of Section 5D of the Civil Liability Act
PROCEDURE
nature and extent of principles expounded in Jones v Dunkel

LEGISLATION CITED:
Civil Liability Act 2002

CATEGORY:
Principal judgment

CASES CITED:
Adeels Palace Pty Ltd v Moubarak [2009] HCA 48; 239 CLR 420
Bourhill v Young [1942] UKHL 5; [1943] AC 92
Crump v Equine Nutrition Systems Pty Ltd t/as Horsepower, [2006] NSWSC 512
Crystal Wall Pty Ltd v Pham [2005] NSWCA 449
CSR Limited and Another v Thompson [2003] NSWCA 329; 59 NSWLR 77
Fabre v Arenales (1992) 27 NSWLR 437
Graham v Baker (1961) 106 CLR 340
Jones v Dunkel [1959] HCA; [1959] HCA 8; (1959) 101 CLR 298
Manly Council v Byrne [2004] NSWCA 123
Medlin v State Government Insurance Commission [1995] HCA 5; (1995) 182 CLR 1
Miller v Galderisi [2009] NSWCA 353
Mount Isa Mines Ltd v Pusey [1970] HCA 60; (1970) 125 CLR 383
O'Donnell v Reichard [1975] VicRp 89; [1975] VR 916
Payne v Parker [1976] 1 NSWLR 191
Penrith City Council v Parks [2004] NSWCA 201
Purkess v Crittenden [1965] HCA 34; (1965) 114 CLR 164
State of New South Wales v Moss [2000] NSWCA 133
Sretenovic v Reed [2009] NSWCA 280
Tame v New South Wales; Annetts v Australian Stations Pty Ltd [2002] HCA 35; 211 CLR 317
Thatcher v Charles [1961] HCA 5; (1961) 104 CLR 57
Tomisevic v Menzies Wagga Southern Pty Ltd [2005] NSWCA 178
Watts v Rake [1960] HCA 58; (1960) 108 CLR 158
Wollongong Fabrications Pty Ltd v Ramsbottom [2006] NSWCA 279; 68 NSWLR 387
Woolworths Ltd v Lawlor [2004] NSWCA 209

TEXTS CITED:

DECISION:
Verdict for the defendant. Plaintiff to pay the defendant's costs.

JUDGMENT:

1 HIS HONOUR: The plaintiff claims damages for negligence against a doctor who inserted an Implanon contraceptive implant into her left upper arm on 16 October 2006. Generally it is asserted that the doctor incorrectly inserted the implant and then failed to take appropriate action as a consequence of this error. In very broad terms it is claimed that as a consequence the plaintiff has suffered significant and on-going physical and mental trauma.

The issues

2 There are a number of issues that have been raised for determination and they may be distilled as follows:

3 The plaintiff, Ms Samantha Hollier, is 37 years old and the youngest of her parents’ 5 children. She had 2 children, Grace and Nathan, in the course of a relationship in her early to mid 20’s. She commenced a relationship with her current partner, Mr Corey Parker, in 2000 and had 2 further children, Hope and Zachary.

4 Ms Hollier fell pregnant easily and apart from her 4 children she has had a number of miscarriages and terminations.

5 The family lived in Darwin from 2003 to 2005. Mr Parker was employed by the army. The family set up home at Wattle Grove in the south western suburbs of Sydney when he was transferred to Holsworthy in 2005.

6 The defendant, Dr Rachel Sutcliffe, is a general practitioner who lives in Britain. She qualified in medicine at the University of Cambridge in 1992 and then achieved by examination membership of the Royal College of General Practitioners. She obtained a diploma from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologist in 1995 and a diploma in family health care in 1997, being re-certified in 2002 and 2007. Apart from one year spent in Australia she has otherwise practised as a general practitioner in Britain.

7 Dr Sutcliffe was a member of the British army reserve for about 12 years. She was a full-time medical officer in the army from 1997 to 2000 and has otherwise served as a part-time medical officer.

8 Dr Sutcliffe’s husband is also a doctor. He received a 12 month appointment to work in Sydney and she accompanied him. She was granted fellowship of the Royal College of Australian General Practitioners in December 2005 and from January 2006 to January 2007 she worked as a salaried general practitioner at the All Care Medical Centre at Hammondville.

Implanon

9 Implanon is a device described as a long-acting reversible contraceptive. It is a flexible plastic rod, 40mm long and 2mm in diameter, designed to be inserted just under the skin of the inside of the upper arm in the groove between the bicep and tricep muscles. It contains the progestogen etonogestrel that is designed to be slowly released.

10 Consumer information literature describes Implanon as ideal for women looking for a reversible, long-term solution to birth control that requires no daily action. It is designed to be effective for three years after which it is removed.

11 The literature indicates that the insertion procedure takes on average about one minute and the removal procedure about three minutes. Both procedures involve the use of local anaesthetic. No surgical incision is necessary. The rod is within a cannula that is inserted under the skin surface and then retracted, leaving the rod behind. The correct technique does not involve any pushing on the rod itself. Rather, the cannula is supposed to be introduced through the surface of the skin and then slid horizontally underneath the surface. Upon withdrawal of the cannula the rod is supposed to be palpable directly beneath the skin surface.

12 The removal procedure involves the doctor making a 2mm incision and then grasping and removing the rod with forceps. The correct technique on removal involves injecting local anaesthetic immediately beneath the tip of the rod so that the consequent swelling tends to force the tip upwards, making it easier for the doctor to grasp and remove it.

Was the Implanon rod incorrectly inserted?

Plaintiff’s evidence

13 Ms Hollier first had an Implanon inserted by a Dr Brendan Steele in Darwin six weeks after her youngest child was born in 2002. She said that she watched as Dr Steele inserted the device and that immediately after the procedure she could clearly see and feel it along its entire length under the surface of the skin. She experienced no pain, swelling or bruising and could continue to feel it up until the day it was removed at the beginning of 2005. She described the removal procedure as uneventful, there was no pulling or pressure, and “it just came out like a splinter”.

14 This first experience of Implanon by the plaintiff is relevant because the fact that she regarded the insertion and removal procedures as entirely uneventful is of significance as will later become apparent. It is also relevant to an issue as to precisely where in Ms Hollier’s arm Dr Sutcliffe inserted the implant.

15 Ms Hollier said that she subsequently used condoms for contraception but twice had to have pregnancies terminated. She attended the All Care Medical Centre on 25 September 2006 where she was seen by Dr Sutcliffe. She said that she asked about having a tubal ligation procedure but the doctor told her the waiting list was too long. She told the doctor of her previous experience with Implanon and the doctor suggested that she have another one. She said that Dr Sutcliffe explained “some information” to her about the product and gave her a prescription. She could not recall if she was given any paperwork.

16 Ms Hollier went to a pharmacy on Monday 16 October 2006 and filled the prescription she had been given for Implanon. She then attended an appointment with Dr Sutcliffe. She said a girlfriend, Kristy, accompanied her. There was a discussion with the doctor in the “treatment room” and she was then directed to the “procedure room”. (Ms Hollier used these descriptions of the rooms interchangeably. For clarity I will use the descriptions “consulting room” and “treatment room” that were used by Dr Sutcliffe in her evidence where it is clear which of the rooms Ms Hollier was referring to).

17 When Ms Hollier was in the treatment room a nurse carried out a urine test to ensure that she was not pregnant. Dr Sutcliffe then administered a local anaesthetic. A short time later she opened the Implanon packaging and then told Ms Hollier that the device was faulty and would have to be replaced. Ms Hollier was given another prescription and left the surgery with Kristy.

18 Ms Hollier returned to the pharmacy to obtain a second Implanon. She and Kristy had lunch. Dr Sutcliffe telephoned to inquire whether she was going to return. She and Kristy then went back to the surgery. She was asked in cross-examination whether this was at about 1.30pm and she said that “sounded familiar” (T83). They went straight into the treatment room. A nurse asked Ms Hollier to sit on a bed. Dr Sutcliffe came in and opened the package to check that the device was not broken. A second local anaesthetic had to be administered. When the area of her inner upper left arm had become numb Ms Hollier was asked to lay on the bed with her left arm out. She said Kristy was standing near her feet and the nurse was standing with a trolley. The nurse handed to Dr Sutcliffe what Ms Hollier thought was a scalpel but the doctor told her it was not required because, “she would just put it through where I had the previous one” (T33).

19 Ms Hollier said that she did not want to watch the procedure so she put her other arm up over her head. She said she, “could feel a pushing on my arm and I went, ‘oh’, and I looked and then I looked back away because I didn’t want to watch it”. She said, “It just seemed to take a long time compared to the first procedure that I had” and that she felt a pushing and stinging type of feeling (T33). She said it felt like someone had been pushing into her skin, like it was being squashed and pushed against the bed. The next thing that she could remember was Dr Sutcliffe saying that it was done and the pushing stopped. She saw Dr Sutcliffe examining her arm. The doctor said “it has to be in there because it’s not in the implement anymore” (T35). After the nurse cleaned the area of the arm the doctor tried but again said that she could not feel the rod. She asked Ms Hollier to try and feel it herself but she could not either. In cross-examination she agreed that it was possible that she had said, “I think I can feel it but I’m not sure”. She disagreed that Dr Sutcliffe had said that she could feel it (T84).

20 Ms Hollier said that she and Dr Sutcliffe then went to the (consulting room). The doctor proceeded to fill out the paperwork. She said that when the doctor got up to the part about whether the rod was palpable she tried once again to locate it and so too did Ms Hollier but they were both again unsuccessful (T35). Ms Hollier claimed that Dr Sutcliffe said that she would put a note on the paperwork to the effect that the rod was not palpable and they would check again the following day because it may have been due to swelling caused by the local anaesthetic. Dr Sutcliffe said, “I can’t find it but it has to be in there because it’s not in the Implanon product (sic, the cannula)” (T36).

21 The “paperwork” referred to was a Royal Australian College of General Practitioners “Patient Consent Form for the Insertion of Implanon” (“the RACGP form” - Exhibit 1). Part of it (the “Pre Insertion Section”) had been completed at the initial consultation on 25 September 2006. In the “Insertion Section” there is provision for the doctor to tick boxes beside a number of items that include, relevantly:

22 Dr Sutcliffe ticked all of the boxes except for the last item I have mentioned. In that area of the form she wrote, “not easily palpable review tomorrow”.

23 When asked about this in cross-examination, Ms Hollier said that she recalled Dr Sutcliffe saying that it was not easily palpable and that she would need to be reviewed the next day (T86). She maintained, however, that the doctor had spoken of coming back tomorrow and “we will see if we can locate the Implanon again” and that she had not said, “Come back tomorrow, we will see if you are more comfortable with identifying the rod” (T87). A little later, however, she agreed that Dr Sutcliffe said, “You will probably be able to feel it more easily when the swelling’s gone down a bit” (T90).

24 In cross-examination Ms Hollier agreed that a bandage was applied to the area of her arm where the Implanon had been inserted. It was suggested to her that this was a “pressure bandage”. She did not know if it was, but claimed that it was “one of the large Band-Aids” and indicated that it was bigger than a credit card in size. She agreed that it covered the area where the Implanon had been inserted (T112). She claimed that it was “not very thick” and that she could still feel underneath it (T113). She denied a proposition that the bandage was a gauze dressing over the insertion site with a 10 to 15 cm wide crepe bandage wrapped around her arm (T114).

25 Ms Hollier said that she then went home. Around dinner time she began to feel pain, at first a burning sensation with tightness and discomfort in her left arm, in the armpit region. She said the tightness was “all in that area and in the under arm”, “like it was getting squished, a tight type feeling” (T37). By the time she went to bed the area was “really tender and very blotchy and red”. She did not sleep well as the burning sensation in her left upper arm was getting worse. She said in cross-examination that the discomfort level out of 10 was “an 8 to a 10 initially”, that it persisted all night, and that it stressed her (T91). The swelling was in the left arm bicep and armpit region and she agreed with the suggestion that it was “grossly swollen or distorted” (T92).

26 The next morning she had swelling, bruising and lumps in her left armpit and bicep. She also had a “spasm type feeling” in her left leg (T38). The lumps were in the bicep, around the insertion area (T92). The spasms in her leg were like an electric shock accompanied by a burning sensation and they started behind the knee and progressed to the calf muscle and the back of the thigh (T93).

27 Ms Hollier said in cross-examination that in the morning she felt exhausted and in pain but did not want to believe that anything that she was experiencing was to do with the Implanon. This was because she did not want to be not covered by contraception (T93). She thought that perhaps she had strained herself or something and that it would just go away. She said, “I didn’t believe that any of the pain that I was feeling was related to the Implanon” and:

28 However, when she was confronted with what was obvious from the medical records, that is that she had not made any complaint of any of these symptoms when she returned to see Dr Sutcliffe – “No, I didn’t” – she gave this as the explanation:

30 She then ventured that she did say to Dr Sutcliffe that her leg was sore and she rubbed it but that was all she said about her leg. Dr Sutcliffe did not examine it. She added, “I may have mentioned my arm, I can’t recall if I did” (T96). Later she said that she did not say anything about pain or burning sensations in her left arm although she did tell the doctor about her arm being “lumpy” (T115).

31 In written submissions it was put that the plaintiff was desperate not to have the device removed and prepared to put up with the pain in the expectation that it would settle down and presumably this is why the symptoms, or full extent of them, were not reported to Dr Sutcliffe on the next day. However, this varies with the history provided by the plaintiff to Dr Phillips, psychiatrist, that on the next day she had “reported her various symptoms” to Dr Sutcliffe (Dr Phillips’ report of 1 July 2008 at page 2 (emphasis added)). The plaintiff provided a history to Dr Champion, rheumatologist, that she experienced and reported pain of moderate intensity during the insertion process and on the following day (Dr Champion’s report of 6 February 2008 at page 9).

32 Ms Hollier’s evidence was that during the consultation on Tuesday 17 October Dr Sutcliffe felt the area of the implant but said that she could still not locate the Implanon rod fully and explained that it was probably due to swelling from the procedure. Ms Hollier said that she could feel the tip of the rod. Ms Hollier claimed that Dr Sutcliffe said she should come back if she had any complications but also said that she was travelling to England that afternoon for two weeks to see her family. The consultation lasted five to ten minutes.

33 Ms Hollier was cross-examined about the portions of the RACGP form that was completed on 17 October. She agreed that she had signed the “Post Insertion Section” on that day. It contained four acknowledgements, one being, “I can feel the inserted implant”. She explained that she signed this because, “I didn’t want the Implanon removed” (T119). She agreed that either Dr Sutcliffe had read out the acknowledgements to her or that she had read them herself (T120).

34 Later that day the spasms in the left leg seemed to be getting worse. Ms Hollier said that there was swelling in both her arm and her leg and they felt heavy like they were being pulled down by a weight (T39). She said that she had felt a disturbed sensation in her left arm before seeing Dr Sutcliffe that day but thought that this was because of the local anaesthetic and that everything would be fine (T40).

35 Ms Hollier’s evidence was that these types of symptoms continued and worsened in the ensuing days. She said family members were telling her to go back to the doctor but she remained confident that everything would be alright. She did not want to believe that there was anything wrong with the Implanon because she did not want it removed (T41). In cross-examination she said that the area around the insertion site was red and yellow on 17 October and by 18 October it had started to blacken and the lumps were getting bigger (T117). She also said that her groin was swollen with pain that was “excruciating” (T121).

36 By Saturday 21 October 2006 the situation was considerably worse. She could hardly walk. At the insistence of her husband and mother-in-law she agreed to seek treatment. Her husband took her to the casualty ward at Liverpool hospital. She said that a nurse told her that there was a possibility of nerve damage and that the implant would have to be removed by a microsurgeon or else there could be paralysis. It was a nurse she had spoken with on the phone who had told her this (T124). In cross-examination she agreed that she had subsequently told a psychologist that a nurse had told her that she was perhaps having an allergic reaction (T122). After waiting at the hospital for about six hours without receiving attention she was exhausted and left some time after midnight (T42-43).

37 Within the medical records is a short report by Dr Robert Yap of the Liverpool GP After Hours Clinic to the effect that he saw Ms Hollier on 21 February 2006 and that she was complaining of pain in her left arm where the Implanon was inserted by her general practitioner six days before. It includes, “Sam has not felt the same in fact all left side is sore”. Dr Yap recorded that he told her to go to the Emergency Department for removal of the implant.

38 The next morning, Sunday 22 October 2006, Ms Hollier rang the All Care Medical Centre and made an appointment. Her husband took her. She saw a Dr Bui. She explained to him what had happened the previous night at the hospital and that she needed to have the Implanon removed. They went to the treatment room where she was given a local anaesthetic. She lay on the bed and was crying because she was in so much pain. She said the procedure took 10 to 15 minutes and involved a lot of pushing. She thought that Dr Bui was having difficulty locating the rod and it was hurting her. She said he had cut the skin with a scalpel and was “pushing around for the rod to come through on the surface of the skin”. She said, “I could see him pushing around and then he got the scalpel again and did another cut in the opposite direction and I just couldn’t watch from there” (T45).

39 Ms Hollier said that Dr Bui picked up some “tweezer type scissor things”. She did not watch but felt a scraping feeling. She said “I felt pushing again, but as soon as I was laying there and I was in pain, and then instantly it was like, oh, a relief. All the squeezing had been released and it was astounding how it just instantly was gone”. Dr Bui asked her how she felt and she replied that she felt much better. He told her that he had removed the rod. She looked at the rod in a kidney tray and saw that it was “bent in the shape of an L” (T45).

40 Dr Bui did not say much. He put some stitches in and told her to return the next day to have the dressing changed. Ms Hollier said that she still had a niggle of the burning feeling and the lumps were still present but the intensity of the pain had been relieved “drastically”. That night she was able to get some sleep although she still could not lay on her left side (T46).

41 Ms Hollier was asked in cross-examination about whether she told Dr Bui about the pain in her arm, shoulder and leg and said that she did (T130-131). She did not recall Dr Bui physically examining her and finding no symptoms (T131-132). I set out below the notes made by Dr Bui. Generally speaking they support Ms Hollier’s evidence in these respects.

42 Ms Hollier returned to the surgery to see Dr Bui but could not recall whether it was the following or a subsequent day (T46). She said she still had a burning sensation, tightness and lumps and that she told Dr Bui about them. The doctor’s notes make no mention of this. She returned on another day for a blood test and for a dressing change but she said that he was very rude and so she never went back to that surgery (T47).

43 Ms Hollier denied in cross-examination that she returned to see Dr Bui on Monday 23 October and told him that the pain was much improved (cf Dr Bui’s notes). She claimed that she had asked him at some stage for pain relief (T134-135). She recalled seeing him on the Wednesday and telling him that the pain was four out of ten, persistent and constant (T135). She denied that on the subsequent occasion when she saw Dr Bui in relation to a blood test that she had told him that the pain was resolving, that it had improved since the Wednesday (the notes indicate otherwise) and that Dr Bui had told her that there was nothing wrong with her (T136).

44 Ms Hollier’s evidence was that her condition deteriorated. She gave lengthy evidence in chief describing the symptoms and the variety of doctors she consulted and tests that were carried out. It is unnecessary to explore this evidence further at this point.

Evidence of Mr Corey Parker

45 Mr Parker is the plaintiff’s partner. He recalled her coming home after having had the Implanon insertion and that she was complaining of pain in her left arm. He observed redness and swelling on the arm. He said she became progressively worse until he went with her to the hospital on the Saturday. He said that she could not lift her arm or walk properly. There were lumps in the bicep area of her left arm (T168-169). He recalled that a Dr Yap at the hospital had said that the Implanon needed to be removed straightaway (T169).

46 Mr Parker accompanied Ms Hollier when she saw Dr Bui on the Sunday. He observed the removal procedure. He said that Dr Bui made an incision and then used forceps but could not locate the rod. He then made a second and larger incision. He said, “the entire head of the scalpel was inside her arm”. He then inserted “a good inch, inch and a half of the head of the forceps” and it took “probably 3, maybe 4 minutes” before the doctor located the rod. He described the doctor having to use some force to remove it (T170). It was like it was caught on something, it did not come out easily (T176). The doctor was using a pulling or tugging motion. It did not come out the first time but came out the second time (T178). The doctor was holding the rod by the tip with forceps (T175). Ms Hollier immediately said that she felt relief. (T170).

47 Mr Parker noticed that the rod was bent at a 90 degree angle after it was removed. Dr Bui put it into a tray and left the room. Mr Parker picked the tray up and showed Ms Hollier (T170).

Evidence of Ms Patricia Parker

48 Ms Parker is Corey Parker’s mother. She lived in Victoria but arrived for a visit on the Friday after Ms Hollier had the Implanon inserted. Ms Hollier said that there was nothing wrong but Ms Parker suspected otherwise and pressed her. Ms Hollier then told her about the implant and of being in pain. Ms Parker observed that the area of the insertion site was “hot, red and there was a bit of swelling”. It was worse the following day and she insisted that her son take Ms Hollier to the hospital. They agreed. They did not return until after midnight and were distressed (T181).

49 When Ms Hollier returned from the medical centre the next day she said “it was better but not good”. For the balance of the two weeks of Ms Parker’s visit she said that Ms Hollier’s pain gradually improved but was not gone. She said that Ms Hollier was not using the arm as freely as she should have and that she was very tired (T182). She also recalled her complaining that her left leg was numb (T183). In cross-examination she said that Ms Hollier was complaining of pain down the entire length of her left side (T185) although she could not recall a complaint of pain in the left leg (T186).

Medical records in relation to Dr Bui’s treatment

50 Dr Bui was not called to give evidence. The following emerges from his records.

Sunday 22 October 2006:

51 I have already referred to the evidence of Dr Sutcliffe’s training and experience as a general practitioner.

52 Dr Sutcliffe underwent a training course in May 2006 concerning the use of Implanon, its insertion and removal. Prior to the insertion of the Implanon rod in the plaintiff on 16 October 2006 she had the experience of inserting two Implanon rods into dummy arms during training and seven in real patients.

53 She recalled her first consultation with Ms Hollier on 25 September 2006. There was discussion, inter alia, about Ms Hollier wanting reliable contraception and about the use of an Implanon device. Dr Sutcliffe completed the doctor’s checklist and the patient consent portions of the “Pre Insertion Section” of the RACGP form and gave it to Ms Hollier together with a document with consumer medical information and a booklet, “Implanon and You”.

54 Dr Sutcliffe said she recalled that Ms Hollier returned on 16 October 2006. They spoke first in her consulting room. They then proceeded to the treatment room. A urine pregnancy test was carried out with a negative result. An injection of 2ml of local anaesthetic was given. Dr Sutcliffe commenced the insertion procedure but quickly realised that the Implanon obturator mechanism was broken. She instructed Ms Hollier to return to the pharmacy to obtain a replacement. This all occurred between 10.30am and 11.00am.

55 Ms Hollier left and had not returned by the time Dr Sutcliffe finished her morning surgery at 1.00pm. Dr Sutcliffe was due to commence afternoon surgery at 2.00pm. She rang Ms Hollier who said she was on her way back. She arrived at about 1.30pm and they went straight back to the treatment room.

56 Dr Sutcliffe found it necessary to administer a further 2ml of local anaesthetic. She then proceeded to carry out the insertion procedure. What she described accorded with the manufacturer’s approved method. In describing the procedure in detail in her evidence in chief Dr Sutcliffe sometimes spoke in terms of what she did on this occasion – for example, “Using my left hand I stretched the skin” (T260.27) - and sometimes in terms of what is done generally – for example, “You insert the tip of the device just under the skin” (T261.32). This gave rise to a contention that she was not giving evidence of an actual recollection but merely stating what the correct procedure was. She did, however, say that the procedure she described was the procedure she carried out with Ms Hollier (T263.25).

57 Dr Sutcliffe had confirmed immediately before the procedure that there was a rod in the cannula. Immediately upon completion of the procedure she stepped away from Ms Hollier and looked at the cannula to visually verify that the rod was no longer present. She announced aloud something to this effect. She said that this was part of her training.

58 Dr Sutcliffe then put the insertion apparatus on the trolley and returned to Ms Hollier. She placed a gauze on the insertion site which was bleeding slightly. She then felt the Implanon. She said she had to apply more pressure with her fingertips than is usual to feel it. She asked Ms Hollier to feel it but said to her, “I suspect that this is more difficult to feel than is usually the case because I’ve had to use two volumes of local anaesthetic”. She claimed that Ms Hollier said, “I think I can feel it, but not easily” (T267).

59 A sterostrip bandage was placed over the insertion site, an adhesive dressing about 6cm x 7cm was applied over that, and then a 12cm wide crepe pressure bandage was wrapped around the arm about five or six times. The latter was applied with a view to minimising bruising. The nurse applied this. Dr Sutcliffe could not recall seeing her do so, but she knew it was done because she could recall removing it the next day. Dr Sutcliffe said that it is impossible to feel an Implanon underneath such bandaging.

60 Dr Sutcliffe said that the RACGP form was completed in the treatment room. I have earlier referred to the doctor writing “not easily palpable review tomorrow” in lieu of ticking a box to indicate whether the Implanon was palpable or not palpable. She said that she and Ms Hollier agreed that the implant could be felt, but not easily. Ms Hollier had said, “I think I can feel it” but Dr Sutcliffe could tell that she was not sure. It was for this reason that she asked Ms Hollier to make an appointment for the following day.

61 Dr Sutcliffe made an entry in the Ms Hollier’s computerised file which included:

62 Ms Hollier returned on 17 October. Dr Sutcliffe asked her how she was and the reply was, “fine”. The pressure and other bandages, but not the sterostrip, were removed. Dr Sutcliffe said that she could now feel the Implanon easily. “It felt entirely as it should have felt. And I felt it along its entire length” (T274.27). She noted some residual swelling and bruising, being what would be expected after a normal insertion procedure.

63 Dr Sutcliffe said that she asked Ms Hollier to feel the device and that when Ms Hollier felt her arm she said, “I can feel it”. It was a “fairly short” consultation. Dr Sutcliffe recalled there was some conversation about England where she was from. She denied that she told Ms Hollier that she was travelling to England that evening. She had the impression that Ms Hollier was very happy. The post insertion section of the RACGP form was completed. This included Ms Hollier signing an acknowledgment of a number of matters including, “I can feel the inserted implant”. It also included Dr Sutcliffe writing “easily palpable 17.10.06”.

65 Dr Sutcliffe’s recollection was that Ms Hollier made no complaint of pain or of any other side effect. She did not see or feel any lumps when she felt around the site. If any such complaint had been made she would have carried out a physical examination and made a note in the records.

66 Dr Sutcliffe was at work on Wednesday 18 and Thursday 19 October but did not hear anything from Ms Hollier. She was on leave (for an unspecified period) from Friday 20 October. The next the doctor heard about Ms Hollier was when she received a letter from CMC Lawyers in December 2006. It was a pro forma letter referring to an “accident” on 16 October 2006 and sought a report from the doctor and a copy of the records. Dr Sutcliffe accessed Ms Hollier’s file and saw that Dr Bui had removed the Implanon on 22 October 2006. That was the first she had known of this.

67 Dr Sutcliffe telephoned the plaintiff for the purpose of confirming that the “accident” related to the Implanon insertion and that she consented to the release of the records. Dr Sutcliffe and Ms Hollier each gave evidence about the content of the conversation that was had but in my view nothing of significance turns on it.

68 Dr Sutcliffe denied in cross-examination that she had no recollection of the insertion procedure with Ms Hollier because she had no reason to think about it between 16 October 2006 and when she received the solicitors’ letter in December 2006 (T340).

69 At the time of giving her evidence last November she had inserted a total of 23 Implanon rods. She agreed that there were a number of matters relating to Ms Hollier that were unique. It was the only occasion when the device was found to be faulty and the patient had to obtain a replacement; when it had been necessary to administer two doses of local anaesthetic; and when she had recorded that she had regarded the implant as “not easily palpable”. There were two other occasions when she had recorded that the implant was not easily palpable by the patient and that the patient was to return for review the following day (T341).

70 Ms Hollier was also the first patient in which she inserted an Implanon with that patient having previously had an implant. There were two subsequent patients for which she had removed an implant and inserted a new one (T344).

71 Dr Sutcliffe said that her usual procedure was to use a ruler to identify the correct insertion point and to mark that point by a small dot made with a marker pen. She was shown a photograph of Ms Hollier’s left upper arm and it was suggested to her that there was no sign of a marker pen having been used. It was suggested that this was because she had inserted the implant through the scar from the previous insertion/removal, a procedure that would involve the exertion of a greater degree of force. She denied these suggestions. Indeed, the first suggestion was invalid. The photograph (Exhibit F) was taken 4 to 5 days after Dr Bui had removed the Implanon, thus 10 to 11 days after the insertion procedure (T345 – 347). Moreover, in re-examination Dr Sutcliffe explained that after the insertion procedure the plaintiff’s arm was cleaned with an alcohol based specialised skin cleanser and a sterostrip applied. The sterostrip would fall off in three to four days when normal bathing of the arm would resume (T420). Further, she expected that Dr Bui would have cleansed the site before and after the removal procedure (T421). In these circumstances the absence of any sign of the marker pen in the photograph is hardly surprising.

72 Dr Sutcliffe was taken to the evidence of Ms Hollier about her having felt her arm being squashed against the bed during the insertion procedure and she agreed that this could not possibly be true if she had conducted the procedure as she had described (T350; T353). She did not recall Ms Hollier uttering anything during the course of the procedure that indicated that she was experiencing pain (T351).

73 Dr Sutcliffe said in her evidence in chief that she was by nature “a quite didactic, methodical person”. She agreed that by this she meant that she was “someone who is very pedantic and very careful about everything” (T356). She believed that she kept adequate and comprehensive clinical records (T357). However, she conceded that her notes of the procedure with Ms Hollier on 16 October 2006 were deficient. She said that she must have completed the entire record of what occurred on 16 October after the second visit by Ms Hollier. It was getting close to her afternoon surgery commencing at 2.00pm. She conceded that there were spelling errors and she omitted mention of the first dose of local anaesthetic (T369-370). She was then asked this triple-component question:

74 She then agreed that the procedure had been carried out in her lunch hour and denied that she was in a hurry or was flustered. She agreed that the deficiency in her records could have been because she was pressed for time (T372).

75 She was taken back to the above question in re-examination and asked about each of the three components. She said that (a) she was not in a hurry; (b) she had afternoon surgery all afternoon; and (c) she had fitted Ms Hollier in during the lunch hour when she wasn’t doing anything else. Ms Hollier had returned at about 1.30pm. (T424-425). She had also said in cross-examination that rather than being pressed for time, arguably, she had more time than usual given that she saw Ms Hollier during the lunch hour (T378).

76 Dr Sutcliffe denied that she had used the scar from the previous insertion through which to insert the implant (T377). If she was satisfied that the scar was in the correct location, she would make the insertion just to the edge of the scar (T379). Inserting it through an existing scar would be more difficult because the scar tissue has a harder physical structure – “Which is why we tend never to do it”. She imagined that if the implant was inserted through a scar the doctor would have to push a lot harder and it would be more difficult perhaps to get the needle in the right position immediately after insertion (T381).

77 She agreed that over time the Implanon becomes encapsulated in fibrous tissue but disagreed that this was a reason to avoid a previous insertion site. She said that she was trained to use the same insertion site if removing an implant and replacing it with another (T382).

78 Dr Sutcliffe denied that if she experienced some difficulty during an insertion that she would try and get around it somehow. She said that she would find that very concerning and would stop rather than “to simply try and push” (T383).

79 She denied that when she received the solicitors’ letter in December it crossed her mind that it was possible that she had inserted the implant too deeply (T386). She did, however, think after seeing in the records that it had been removed six days later that something must have gone wrong (T387).

80 Senior counsel for the plaintiff took the doctor to her notes of 16 October 2006 in which she had typed, “although both patient and myself think we can feel it, it is no easily palpable”. She agreed that “no” should be “not”. She agreed that in ordinary usage, “think” conveys a notion of uncertainty. She denied, however, that she was conveying by her note that she was unsure whether she could feel the implant in place (T387-388).

81 Dr Sutcliffe was cross-examined about her method of expressing herself when describing in her evidence in chief the insertion procedure. She claimed that she was probably speaking in general terms because she adopted the same practice with Ms Hollier as she did with all other patients. She claimed to have a very good recollection of the procedure with Ms Hollier, “primarily because of the unusual facts of her case”, they being the first device being faulty, the time it took for Ms Hollier to return to the surgery and that the implant was not easily palpable after insertion” (T391).

82 She denied that when the implant could not be felt in the treatment room she asked Ms Hollier to come to the consulting room both to do the paperwork and to try again to locate it. Her reason for denying this was that it was important to dress the wound by putting the pressure bandage on it straightaway, and that this was something that was done by the nurse who was assisting with the procedure (T398). If she had tried to palpate the implant in the consulting room, as Ms Hollier had said, it would have been impossible because of the bandage having been applied (T400).

83 Dr Sutcliffe insisted that she could easily feel the implant when Ms Hollier returned on 17 October. She did not have to use any more pressure than usual - “I was very happy that it was normally and easily palpable. I’ve gone to the length of writing that it was easily palpable” (T401 - 402).

84 Dr Sutcliffe agreed that a patient should not get burning pain in the arm from a properly inserted Implanon rod and that burning pain and feelings of an electric shock are possible indications of nerve involvement (T408, 410). She was taken to the notes made by Dr Bui to the effect that the pain was worse when the implant was pressed. She agreed that this would indicate an association between the implant and the pain (T413), although she would not draw an inference that the implant was resting or sitting on anything in particular (T414).

85 She agreed that the observation by Ms Parker of heat, redness and swelling some days after the insertion was not consistent with a properly inserted implant, unless perhaps there was some infection (T417).

86 It was suggested to Dr Sutcliffe that the notes made by Dr Bui, the observations made by Ms Parker, and the plaintiff’s complaint about pain and burning were all inconsistent with the correct insertion of an Implanon implant. She replied, “Yes. It doesn’t sound like the normal sequelae in the week after the insertion of a non-complicated insertion of a Implanon device” (T418).

87 Dr Sutcliffe was asked questions in re-examination about the prospect of Ms Hollier feeling her arm being pushed or squashed against the bed. She explained that the procedure involved the plaintiff lying on a bed with her back elevated at about 45 degrees and with her left arm out to her side with a pillow under the upper arm. She said that no part of the procedure involved her applying force to the arm so as to force it into the pillow or the bed (T426-427).

Plaintiff’s evidence in reply

88 Ms Hollier was called to give evidence in a case in reply. She said that she had three scars in her left upper arm from the insertion by Dr Steele, the insertion by Dr Sutcliffe and the surgery performed by Dr Bui (T433). Two were visible, they being from the latter two procedures. She was provided with a ruler and gave evidence that the scar made by Dr Sutcliffe’s insertion was three centimetres from the elbow crease (T434-435). This is in contrast to Dr Sutcliffe’s evidence that the insertion was seven centimetres, the midpoint of the required six to eight centimetres, from the elbow crease.

89 Ms Hollier was asked to take another measurement, this time from the midpoint of the elbow crease, and she said that it was five centimetres (T436).

90 I do not think there is anything meaningful in this evidence. Ms Hollier said she weighed 73 kg in October 2006 and at the time of giving evidence was about 100 kg. I am unable to confidently draw any conclusions about changes that would result from such weight gain. It seems well possible that they would include changes to skin elasticity and she agreed with the proposition that her body shape had changed and the shape of her arm had changed (T439).

91 Ms Hollier disagreed with Dr Sutcliffe’s evidence about how she was positioned on the bed during the insertion procedure. She claimed that she was lying flat on the bed and that she did not believe there was a pillow under her arm (T441).

Liability experts

92 Doctors Linda Mann, Robert Morton and Martine Walker gave concurrent evidence. Their evidence was, generally, to the effect that if the insertion procedure was carried out as Dr Sutcliffe described then it was entirely in accordance with competent professional practice (see s 5O of the Civil Liability Act 2002).

93 If the procedure occurred as Ms Hollier claimed, the doctors were unanimous that Dr Sutcliffe had used an incorrect technique of pushing the obturator so as to push the implant out of the cannula, rather than withdrawing the obturator that would act to withdraw the cannula and leave the implant behind. They were also unanimously of the view that thereafter the doctor had failed to image the site with ultrasound in order to locate and remove the implant and had failed to put in place an appropriate management plan. Drs Mann and Morton were also of the opinion that Dr Sutcliffe had used excessive force when inserting the Implanon. Dr Morton alone was of the opinion that Dr Sutcliffe had failed to undertake further investigation following the procedure.

94 It is clear then that determination of whether the defendant was in breach of her duty of care turns upon whose version as between Ms Hollier and Dr Sutcliffe is accepted.

95 The doctors agreed that there may be pain in the nature of discomfort associated with the procedure but if the correct procedure is used there should not be significant pain (T289-290).

96 Pain should not be experienced during the procedure because of the application of local anaesthetic but the patient may well experience sensations of pushing and pulling (T291).

97 There was some discussion about the possible reasons for the implant not being easily palpable immediately following insertion. It was considered that the use of two doses of local anaesthetic was a possible explanation. Indeed, that is the effect of the contemporaneous note made by Dr Sutcliffe immediately after the insertion procedure. The evidence of the liability experts gives plausibility to the “likely” explanation the doctor recorded.

98 The doctors were asked about the apparent difficulty Dr Bui experienced in locating the implant and removing it. There is no evidence as to whether Dr Bui had received any training in this procedure and Dr Bui was not called to give evidence himself. It was possible that the difficulty emanated from the fact that the implant had been inserted too deeply but it is also possible that it was because he used an inappropriate technique. Junior counsel for the plaintiff put it that “a trained ape can pull a little rod out” but the doctors unanimously and emphatically disagreed. Indeed, Dr Walker ventured that most doctors would be of the view that removal is probably more difficult than insertion (T317-318).

99 Dr Bui’s note – “palpable implant” – was interpreted as meaning either that he could feel the entire length of the implant or that he felt some part of it, the doctors could not say which (T318).

100 None of the doctors could understand why Dr Bui made two incisions with a scalpel at right angles to each other, either in the context of minor surgery in general practice or in the context of correct Implanon removal procedure (T319). This tends to suggest a lack of familiarity with the correct procedure.

101 As to the implant being seen to be bent into an L shape after removal, none of the doctors could give an unequivocal opinion as to whether this was a result of the manner of insertion or the manner of removal (T320 – 324). As a result of this, senior counsel for the plaintiff acknowledged in closing submissions that I would be unable to come to a conclusion as to whether, if the implant was bent, it was a result of the insertion technique as opposed to the removal technique (T479-480). The issue can be put aside.

102 The doctors generally agreed that if the plaintiff felt immediate relief upon removal of the implant (as she had said) the most likely explanation was that it had been abutting some structure that it was hurting (T324 – 325). If, however, the implant had been making contact with a structure which caused pain, none of the doctors would expect that to be the cause of irritation such as redness or swelling or lumps (T331).

103 At the conclusion of their concurrent evidence, the doctors each agreed that they had given evidence only from a biomedical perspective and had not given consideration to psychological or psychosocial components of the plaintiff’s history (T334).

Consideration

104 On the face of it this might be seen as a simple case. The defendant performed a procedure which was almost immediately followed by the plaintiff experiencing pain and other symptoms. The procedure must have been faulty and obviously the cause of those symptoms. I gained the distinct impression from submissions made on behalf of the plaintiff that it was contended that I should find it easy to reach this conclusion for that simple reason. However, upon my analysis of the evidence, particularly having regard to expert evidence which I will mention at the conclusion of this section, the conclusion for which the plaintiff contends is not so self evident.

105 The plaintiff’s case is to the following effect. It was accepted that Dr Sutcliffe had undergone the training in the insertion and removal of Implanon implants as she claimed and that she had the experience about which she gave evidence.

106 Despite that training and experience Dr Sutcliffe made a number of significant mistakes in the procedure carried out upon Ms Hollier on 16 October 2006. She did not take a measurement from the elbow crease to determine the correct point at which to make the insertion. Instead, she simply decided to make the insertion through the scar where the previous Implanon had been inserted. She did this with the knowledge that inserting the device through scar tissue would be more difficult and require more force.

107 Despite her training and experience Dr Sutcliffe may have used a technique that placed the implant in position with a pushing or injecting motion rather than by insertion and withdrawal of the cannula which would simply leave the rod behind. Reliance was placed upon evidence such as Ms Hollier claiming that she felt pain and a pushing sensation with her upper arm being pressed against the bed.

108 Dr Sutcliffe was aware of the importance of ensuring that the implant was palpable along its entire length to confirm correct placement. When she tried to palpate the device she could not feel it at all but assumed it had been implanted because it was no longer in the cannula. She attributed the inability to feel the implant to swelling caused by the local anaesthetic and asked Ms Hollier to return the following day. Dr Sutcliffe made notes both on the computer and on the RACGP form which were either ambiguous or misleading or both. A bandage that was a credit card size Band-aid style, thin enough for Ms Hollier to be able to feel the skin beneath, was applied, in lieu of the correct procedure of applying a pressure bandage to minimise swelling and bruising.

109 When Ms Hollier returned to the surgery on 17 October 2006 her left upper arm and armpit were swollen and had bruises and lumps. The area was “really tender and very blotchy and red”. It was “grossly swollen and distorted”. Dr Sutcliffe failed to notice any of these symptoms, even when palpating the insertion site. Ms Hollier told Dr Sutcliffe that her leg was sore but the doctor did not examine it. Ms Hollier also told the doctor that her arm was “lumpy” but the doctor apparently did nothing in response.

110 Dr Sutcliffe could not locate the implant fully but did nothing other than to tell Ms Hollier to return if there were any complications. Ms Hollier then signed an acknowledgment on the RACGP form that she could feel the inserted implant, notwithstanding she could only feel the tip of it and from past experience she knew that she should be able to feel the entirety of it. Dr Sutcliffe wrote on the form that it was “easily palpable” notwithstanding she knew that this was not the truth.

111 The foregoing is the tenor and effect of the plaintiff’s case. It is one that is difficult to accept.

112 Dr Sutcliffe presented as a most careful witness. She was impressive in her recollection of detail. I am not persuaded that she gave evidence of what she usually did as opposed to what she in fact did. Senior counsel for the plaintiff took pains to establish a number of reasons why the procedure involving Ms Hollier was unique in the doctor’s experience. Rather than those matters being indicative of something having gone wrong, I regard them as providing a greater reason for Dr Sutcliffe to remember the particular procedure. She might not have remembered the patient’s name when she received the solicitor’s letter in December 2006 but that does not mean, as was contended on behalf of the plaintiff, that she could not remember the procedure.

113 Dr Sutcliffe’s evidence was supported by contemporaneous notes. Those notes support her version of events and do not support the plaintiff’s version. Submissions made about the precise meaning of “not easily palpable” and “although both patient and myself think we can feel it, it is no (sic) easily palpable” do not advance the plaintiff’s case. They are entirely consistent with the defendant’s version and they are entirely inconsistent with the plaintiff’s version. If the implant was not palpable at all, as Ms Hollier claimed, then the notes are inexplicable. I am not persuaded that the doctor deliberately wrote notes that were false.

114 Dr Sutcliffe was prepared to make concessions during the course of cross-examination. For example, as I have noted, she conceded that there were deficiencies in her notes. She conceded that this might have been because she was pressed for time. There was also the concession in her evidence extracted above (T418). Further, Dr Sutcliffe did not give the impression in the manner and content of her evidence that she was going out of her way to defend a position or to defend her reputation.

115 On matters of material significance the evidence of the defendant was consistent within itself and consistent with objective independent evidence. On the other hand, the evidence of the plaintiff was both internally and externally inconsistent in a number of respects.

116 Ms Hollier claimed that the doctor said that she could not feel the implant on 16 October but in cross-examination she said that the doctor said that it was “not easily palpable”.

117 She claimed that she could not feel the implant herself on 16 October but in cross-examination she agreed that the doctor had said to her, “You will probably be able to feel it more easily when the swelling’s gone down a bit”. That is consistent with Dr Sutcliffe’s evidence that Ms Hollier had said, “I think I can feel it, but not easily”.

118 There is further similar inconsistency in the history that Ms Hollier provided to authors of reports that are in evidence. Dr A.P. McClure, psychiatrist, reported that on 28 November 2007 Ms Hollier provided a history that included, “After the procedure, neither Ms Hollier, Dr Sutcliffe, nor the nurse was able to palpate more than ‘just the tip’ of the ‘Implanon’” (Exhibit J, tab 3, page 3). She is reported to have told Dr Champion three weeks later, on 19 December 2007, that, “she could not feel it and neither could Dr Sutcliffe” (Dr Champion’s report of 6 February 2008 at page 2).

119 Ms Hollier at first said that she did not tell Dr Sutcliffe about any of her symptoms on 17 October. She said that her reason for not telling the doctor anything about the symptoms was because she did not want the doctor to remove the Implanon. When pressed in relation to this she claimed that she had in fact said that her leg was sore and that she rubbed it but that the doctor did nothing. She then added that she may have mentioned her arm but she was not sure. When the cross-examination resumed on the next day of the hearing she added a claim that she told the doctor that her arm was lumpy. There is also the contrast between the evidence given by Ms Hollier and the history that she gave to Drs Phillips and Champion that I referred to earlier.

120 I accept that Ms Hollier perceived that she was experiencing pain from a variety of symptoms but there is a question as to whether they arose as quickly as she claimed. I am satisfied that she made no complaint to Dr Sutcliffe on the day after the insertion procedure and this tends to indicate that the perceived pain from these symptoms had not arisen to any significant extent in that period. The progression of the plaintiff’s evidence from no complaint, to a complaint about her leg, then a possible complaint about her arm, and then a complaint about her arm being lumpy raises a question about her credibility. Dr Sutcliffe’s evidence, which was that Ms Hollier made no complaint and gave the impression that she was happy, is more acceptable.

121 There is also a contrast between the plaintiff’s evidence and what is included in the statement of claim. There it is asserted that on 17 October 2006 “the plaintiff advised the defendant that she was experiencing significant pain in her left arm and had a burning sensation in her left arm where the Implanon implant was supposed to be situated”. It continues, “the defendant advised the plaintiff that the pain and burning sensation was due to swelling and the anaesthetic and that if it worsened she should return to the surgery”. This is clearly in conflict with the plaintiff’s evidence which included no assertion that she complained of “significant pain in her left arm and had a burning sensation” in that arm.

123 Ms Hollier said that a nurse told her on 21 October that there was a possibility of nerve damage but in cross-examination she agreed that she had told a psychologist that a nurse had told her that she was possibly experiencing an allergic reaction.

124 Ms Hollier denied that she returned to see Dr Bui on Monday 23 October and told him that the pain was much improved. However, Dr Bui’s notes record, “pain is much improved”. She denied that on the last occasion she saw Dr Bui that she had told him that the pain was resolving. Dr Bui’s notes record, “pain is resolving”.

125 There were some other aspects of Ms Hollier’s version which I found difficult to accept. Her evidence about the nature of the bandage that was applied on 16 October is one example. Another is her claim that she exhibited a variety of symptoms on 17 October which would have been readily apparent to anyone, medically trained or not. However, Dr Sutcliffe, apparently, completely failed to detect any of them after both looking at and palpating her arm.

126 The symptoms Ms Hollier claimed to have experienced included swelling to her arm and her groin and lumps in her left arm and armpit. She also said the area around the insertion site was red and yellow on 17 October but by 18 October it had started to blacken. There is a note by a triage nurse in the Liverpool Hospital Emergency Department Clinical Record that there were subcutaneous nodules. There is no other notes of swelling or lumps or discolouration in that record, or the record of the after hours GP, or the notes of Dr Bui.

127 I am not of the view that the evidence of Ms Hollier which had the effect of suggesting that the insertion technique used by Dr Sutcliffe was incorrect resulting in the implant being placed too deeply receives support from the observations made by her partner, Mr Parker, of the manner in which Dr Bui removed the implant.

128 Mr Parker’s evidence included the claim that he observed, “the entire head of the scalpel was inside her arm” and that Dr Bui inserted “a good inch, inch and a half of the head of the forceps” into the arm. These were obvious exaggerations.

129 Mr Parker sought to draw conclusions about the force that the doctor was using and it was his view that the doctor was experiencing some difficulty in first locating the implant and then in removing it. It was not suggested that Mr Parker had any medical training. Dr Bui’s notes include “palpable implant” and so it is difficult to understand why he would have any difficulty in locating it. Doubts were expressed during the course of the concurrent evidence of the liability experts about the skill, training and experience that Dr Bui may have had in the removal of Implanon implants but the evidence of the technique he used was largely restricted to the description given by Mr Parker. The only other matter shedding light upon his skill was the use of two right-angled incisions, a technique the liability experts found somewhat baffling. If Dr Bui did experience difficulty in removing the implant I am not prepared to conclude for this reason that the insertion was faulty.

130 Mr Parker’s evidence about what Dr Bui did to remove the implant was not supported by Ms Hollier because she said that she did not look at what Dr Bui was doing. It was also not supported by any evidence by Dr Bui, a topic to which I shall return shortly.

131 Ms Hollier’s evidence about experiencing the various painful symptoms in the days following the implantation was supported by Mr Parker and his mother. I accept that Ms Hollier did perceive that she was experiencing at least some of those symptoms, although I am doubtful that they arose as soon after the procedure as she claimed. The lack of complaint to Dr Sutcliffe on 17 October is not credibly explained, as I have mentioned. Mr Parker’s evidence was not precise as to what he perceived in the 24 hours or so after the procedure had been performed. His evidence was more in the nature of a rolled up general description of what he perceived between 16 October and the attendance at Liverpool hospital on 21 October. Ms Parker did not arrive in Sydney until 20 October.

132 An attempt was made to characterise as “false” the assertion in Dr Sutcliffe’s report to the solicitors in December 2006 that the procedure was “uncomplicated”. It was contended that the doctor’s own account of the procedure did not justify that description. There is nothing in this. Dr Sutcliffe described the implant as being not easily palpable on the day of insertion but easily palpable the day after. I do not see any significance in her describing the procedure as “uncomplicated” for that reason.

133 Another matter that tends to undermine the force of the plaintiff’s case is that her evidence, theoretically at least, was capable of confirmation by testimony of others who were not called as witnesses. In this regard I am referring to Ms Hollier’s girlfriend, Kristy, the medical centre nurse and Dr Bui. There was no attempt to explain the absence of evidence from any of these three potential witnesses.

134 On Ms Hollier’s account, Kristy and the nurse would likely have been in a position to confirm her evidence about the insertion procedure and the bandage applied afterwards. They may have confirmed her account of crying out in pain during the procedure. Kristy might also have been in a position to confirm Ms Hollier’s evidence about what occurred in the consulting room afterwards. More significant, however, is the absence of evidence from Dr Bui. He was a medically trained person who could have given authoritative evidence on the central question in the case as to whether the implant was correctly situated subdermally or otherwise.

135 Glass JA set out principles in relation to the operation of the rule in Jones v Dunkel [1959] HCA 8; (1959) 101 CLR 298 in Payne v Parker [1976] 1 NSWLR 191 at 200-202. Although his judgment was a dissenting one, his discussion of the principles has been described as providing an authoritative summary: Wollongong Fabrications Pty Ltd v Ramsbottom [2006] NSWCA 279; 68 NSWLR 387 per Tobias JA at [69]. His Honour stated in part (at 201):

136 In submissions on behalf of the plaintiff it was asserted that the party who should have called Dr Bui was the defendant. I do not accept that for a number of reasons. Dr Bui was the plaintiff’s doctor. The defendant’s solicitors sought to obtain from the plaintiff’s solicitors the plaintiff’s consent to enable them to speak with Dr Bui (Exhibit 5). Such consent was not forthcoming and there was no acceptable explanation why that was so. Thus, information from Dr Bui was available to the plaintiff but not to the defendant.

137 To say that Dr Bui was amenable to subpoena as Mr Barry QC asserted in closing submissions is not to the point. Mahoney JA observed in Fabre v Arenales (1992) 27 NSWLR 437 at 450 that, “A party is not, under pain of a detrimental inference, required to call a witness ‘blind’.” I am not of the view that counsel for the defendant could be expected to call Dr Bui not knowing what he would say and not knowing whether any privilege would be claimed.

138 O’Donnell v Reichard [1975] VicRp 89; [1975] VR 916 provides an example of the rule in Jones v Dunkel being applied against a plaintiff who without explanation failed to call three doctors who had treated her in hospital following an accident. It was held that the trial judge had misdirected the jury to ignore the failure of the plaintiff to call the doctors and that it was equally open to the defendant to call them, subject only to the plaintiff consenting to them giving evidence. Newton and Norris JJ stated (at 937):

139 There was no attempt made to explain by way of evidence why Dr Bui was not called. In submissions on behalf of the plaintiff there was reference to the plaintiff having said in cross-examination, “Unless Dr Bui is refusing to speak to anyone”. I do not know why that was referred to. It is not evidence that the doctor was not speaking to anyone. Mr Barry continued by submitting:

140 No explanation was given as to why Dr Bui should be considered a “wild card”. The only forensic decision I can envisage needed to be made is whether evidence of Dr Bui would assist.

141 Dr Bui could have elucidated a number of matters – whether or not the implant was correctly placed subdermally; where it had been inserted in relation to the scar from the earlier implant; what was required to be done to remove the implant; and whether the implant was bent before or during removal. I have earlier indicated that the latter may be put to one side but the other matters are of significance. I conclude that the unexplained failure of the plaintiff to call Dr Bui is because his evidence would not have assisted her case on these issues.

142 Although the Jones v Dunkel principle is often spoken of in the context of whether an inference about a particular topic should be drawn, it is also, in certain circumstances a matter that may be applied in consideration of whether direct evidence given by a witness or witnesses should be accepted: see Manly Council v Byrne [2004] NSWCA 123 per Campbell J (as he then was) at [59]. In the present case there is the direct evidence of Mr Parker of his observations of Dr Bui removing the implant. However, there are reasons to doubt Mr Parker’s evidence, as I have indicated, and there is also the fact that Dr Bui is medically qualified and Mr Parker is not. In these circumstances I am satisfied that a Jones v Dunkel inference is available and so the unexplained absence of testimony from Dr Bui provides a further reason not to accept the evidence of Mr Parker about the removal procedure.

143 I do not believe that the failure to call the girlfriend Kristy or the nurse is a matter of significance. There was already evidence from the plaintiff on the subject matter of any prospective evidence they might have given. A party is not required to call a witness to give cumulative evidence to avoid a Jones v Dunkel inference being drawn: Manly Council v Byrne, supra, at [60] – [66]. The difficulties I have indicated that I have in accepting the plaintiff’s evidence may have been resolved if there had been evidence from Kristy and/or the nurse. That, however, is said by way of observation only.

144 Thus far I have indicated a preference for the evidence of Dr Sutcliffe over that of Ms Hollier. But the fact remains that there is no doubt that Ms Hollier experienced a variety of painful sensations following the implantation that she had not experienced before. The question is whether this of itself supports the contention that Dr Sutcliffe’s insertion technique was somehow at fault.

145 Four experts gave concurrent evidence on the causation issue – Dr Jonathan Phillips, psychiatrist, and Dr David Champion, rheumatologist, were called by the plaintiff and Dr Robert Lewin, psychiatrist, and Dr Paul Spira, neurologist, were called by the defendant. A number of reports by these eminent doctors were in evidence but more practical assistance was provided by them having conferred prior to the trial and by them giving concurrent evidence during the trial.

146 It is unnecessary, at this point, to refer to the individual opinions held by each of these experts. There was general agreement that this was a case of complexity with no-one suggesting there were clear and definitive answers as to the nature of Ms Hollier’s condition or its cause. Important for present purposes are two matters.

147 First, in all of the reports and investigations that the experts had examined there was no clear evidence of any physical damage having been occasioned to Ms Hollier by Dr Sutcliffe’s insertion of the Implanon implant. The evidence of this is conveniently listed and summarised in the written outline submissions on behalf of the defendant at [11] to [25].

148 Secondly, whilst the causation experts differed somewhat in their views as to whether there was a direct connection between the insertion procedure and the adverse consequences Ms Hollier claims to have experienced, and I should hasten to add that malingering is not considered a significant possibility, they were unanimous that their views would apply irrespective of whether the scenario described by the plaintiff or the defendant occurred: see Summary of Joint Conference report at page 4 (Exhibit D) and concurrent evidence at T236.10 – 236.16.

149 Although I will deal with the issue of causation in greater detail in the following section of this judgment, it cannot be concluded from the fact that the plaintiff complained post-insertion of painful symptoms that she did not have pre-insertion that these symptoms were a result of conduct of Dr Sutcliffe that fell short of competent professional practice.

Summary of conclusions on breach

150 I am unable to accept those parts of the evidence of the plaintiff, her partner and her mother-in-law which are said to provide a basis to infer that the defendant incorrectly inserted the Implanon implant.

151 The evidence of the defendant that correct techniques were employed is credible and is supported by contemporaneous records.

152 There is no evidence of physical damage caused by an incorrect insertion technique.

153 The fact that the plaintiff perceived pain after the procedure that she had not experienced before does not establish that an incorrect insertion technique was used.

154 I am not satisfied that there was a breach of the defendant’s duty of care towards the plaintiff. The defendant’s actions in inserting the Implanon implant into the plaintiff on 16 October 2006 were consistent with competent professional practice.

Causation

155 In the event I am held to be in error in making the above findings I will deal with the issue of causation.

156 First, it is necessary to refer to the evidence as to the physical and psychological impact it is asserted that the implant procedure had upon Ms Hollier.

Plaintiff’s physical and psychological injuries

157 Subsequent to the treatment received from Dr Bui the plaintiff consulted Dr Stanford who arranged for a number of tests and provided a referral for specialist treatment. The physical sequelae led to the development of psychological problems with the plaintiff describing herself as, “angry, frustrated, and fed up with not being able to do my – walk normal and I just wanted the pain to go away. I didn’t want it” (T48.15). She described suffering panic attacks as well as an inability to get appropriate medical treatment (T56 - 57), which has exacerbated her mental condition (T51-52). The plaintiff was unable to cope with both her symptoms and the raising of her family and for this reason she moved to Victoria in August/September 2007 to be closer to her and her partner’s immediate family (T53).

158 The plaintiff described the foregoing symptoms as having a restrictive affect on her ability to lead a normal life. Specifically, she started having difficulty with hanging the washing, driving a manual vehicle, mowing the lawns, gardening and generally those household chores requiring lifting of some sort (T51.2). As the plaintiff’s husband was also suffering from medical ailments, she initially relied on her two eldest children to provide assistance with the domestic tasks (T52.45), although her daughter is now estranged and the plaintiff attributes this to her over reliance (T53.40). The plaintiff now relies on assistance rendered by her eldest son (T56.11). She described her present symptoms as consisting of a burning sensation, tingling and pins and needles across her left arm and extending to her shoulder and the back of her neck. The pain is constant. She also experiences pain and lumps around her left leg. The pain causes disabilities in the form of restricted bending, walking, riding a bicycle, exercising, personal care such as grooming and dressing, shopping and performing general domestic duties around the home (T55 –56). The plaintiff also described the impairment to her earning capacity and inability to return to work as a chef or commercial cleaner (T57 –58).

159 In cross-examination, the plaintiff described performing various domestic chores with the assistance of her son and husband. She is able to load the washing machine with her son hanging the heavier washing. She cooks with her son lifting the heavy pots. She vacuums with the assistance of her husband. She is able to make her bed, wipe down the kitchen bench and light dusting. The children clean their own rooms, assist with the dishwashing and kitchen cleaning. She receives some assistance with personal care such as shaving of legs. The plaintiff’s husband mows the lawn (with assistance from the elder son), irons, maintains the cars and assists with the shopping (T159 – 166).

160 The plaintiff’s husband gave evidence that the plaintiff enjoyed substantial relief a day or so after the implant was removed and then the pain in her left arm returned and gradually deteriorated. He also described a change in the plaintiff’s mental state, saying “she is not the happy person she used to be” (T171). Mr. Parker also gave evidence about the plaintiff’s restricted capacity around the home and he said, “Sam can basically really only do very, very minimal things before she’s completely exhausted. And the rest of us pick up the slack in the house” (T172.10).

161 I have earlier referred to the evidence of the plaintiff’s mother in law as to what she observed about the plaintiff in the two week period in which she was visiting from Victoria commencing four days after the implant procedure. She said she saw Ms Hollier next in the period leading up to Christmas 2006. She said she was not her usual “bubbly, energetic self”, was slower and not as alert (T183.30). She had trouble getting in and out of the car and moved with a decided limp (T183.45). She saw Ms Hollier “reasonably” frequently after she moved to Victoria in August 2007. She described the plaintiff as being “unable to do what she used to do”, she had “vague periods where she struggles” and became tired and she was unable to cope with housework the way she used to (T184).

162 The plaintiff’s half sister, Ms. Gwendolyn Morgan, also gave evidence to the affect of noticing a substantial change in her sister’s physical and psychological presentation after having the implant. She described the plaintiff before the incident as having “no issues physically” (T189.45) and being “very strong minded...She just showed great strength of character” (T190). Subsequent to the incident, she described her sister as being “withdrawn” (T194.6). She confirmed the plaintiff’s evidence in respect of her daughter, Grace, leaving home because there was “too much to cope with” (T198.39). She also described various restrictions in the plaintiff’s mobility. Ms Morgan said that she observed the plaintiff requiring assistance with the shopping (T195), cooking, washing, vacuuming and making beds (T199-200).

Medical treatment subsequent to the implant being removed

163 The plaintiff first consulted with Dr Stanford on 23 October 2006 and remained under his care until she relocated to Victoria.

164 On 25 October 2006, Dr M Waterland performed a left leg venous doppler and reported:

165 On 1 November 2006, Dr Waterland performed a left popliteal fossa ultrasound that revealed no abnormalities.

166 On 7 November 2006, Dr G Markson performed a left humerus ultrasound that revealed “inflammatory reaction” beneath the incision where the implanon was inserted.

167 On 23 November 2006, the plaintiff was referred to Dr Gotis-Graham, rheumatologist.

168 On 12 February 2007, Dr Waterland performed an x-ray of the chest, left knee, left shoulder and ultrasound of the left shoulder, which did not reveal any abnormality apart from the observation that, “There is mild to moderate thickening of the subacromial bursa”.

169 On 21 February 2007, Dr Waterland performed a left calf ultrasound and reported no abnormalities apart from “diffuse tenderness”.

170 On 5 April 2007, the plaintiff attended upon Dr Crozier, vascular and endovascular surgeon, who reported to Dr Stanford, “I suspect there may have been a traction injury to the superficial medial cutaneous nerve of the arm. The dysesthesia which has resulted has been exacerbated by background stressors of domestic and work related nature”.

171 Dr Gotis-Graham saw the plaintiff on 7 February 2007 and 5 April 2007. After the initial consultation, Dr Gotis-Graham wrote to Dr Stanford outlining a number of possible causes for the plaintiff’s symptoms. However, after the consultation on 5 April 2007, by which time the plaintiff had undertaken a total body scan, x-ray of the left shoulder, ultrasound of the left shoulder, left calf venous doppler and blood tests, Dr Gotis-Graham opined that from his perspective he could not find anything wrong. He recommended review by a neurologist.

172 The plaintiff commenced treatment with the South Western Sydney Area Counselling Service, specifically with Ms Michele Jackson, psychologist, on 20 April 2007 and undertook approximately 4 sessions.

173 Nerve conduction studies recommended by Dr Gotis-Graham were undertaken on 12 June 2007. Dr Cecilia Cappelen-Smith reported, “There are abnormalities of median nerve conduction at the left wrist of mild-moderate degree, consistent with the clinical diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome.”

174 After relocating to Victoria, the plaintiff commenced treatment with Dr Anna Piesiewicz-Bialex, general practitioner, whose file reveals treatment for depression by way of medication in the form of Lovan tablets. It would seem that the plaintiff consulted Dr Piesiewicz-Bialex in the period of August 2007 to October 2007.

175 The plaintiff undertook a MRI and CT scan of her left arm reported on by Dr Snodgrass on 28 July 2008, both of which revealed no abnormality.

176 The treatment picture after the plaintiff moved to Victoria is not entirely clear. This may have been explained in part under cross examination when she stated, “There are 30 or 40 different doctors I have approached in medical centres that have several other doctors and they just put a big barrier up and want nothing to do with me” (T154.16). The plaintiff explained that doctors did not want to get involved in her management due to the pending litigation (T154.2).

Causation experts’ evidence

177 I have earlier alluded to the evidence given by Drs Phillips and Champion on behalf of the plaintiff and Drs Lewin and Spira on behalf of the defendant.

178 The first point to note in relation to the symptoms Ms Hollier has claimed to have experienced since 16 October 2006 is that it is not contended that a conclusion of malingering is available. I proceed on the basis that her claims are genuine. The possibility of there being a conversion disorder is also excluded.

179 The next point to note is that the symptoms arose after the implantation and were not in existence before. Accordingly, there is no question that the implantation procedure was a triggering mechanism. The question is, how? There is, as I have earlier noted, no evidence of physical damage occasioned to the plaintiff by the procedure.

180 The causation experts conferred between themselves with input from some others on 9 November 2009. A very useful joint report was produced (Exhibit D), the contents of which may be summarised in two parts as follows.

(i) Nature of the plaintiff’s problem

181 The preponderance of opinion is that Ms Hollier has experienced a pain syndrome, which has given rise to a depressive reaction with a range of reactive symptoms, anxiety and depressed mood. This was either an Adjustment Disorder with mixed features of anxiety and depressed mood, or a partially treated Major Depressive Episode. There may have been a compounding of the severity of the plaintiff’s psychological reaction as a result of opiate analgesic medication to which she had resorted subsequent to the implantation. Dr Phillips spoke of the perception of pain in the context of depression being features that fed and perpetuated each other.

182 There was agreement that there were a number of vulnerability factors. They included:

183 Despite the existence of these vulnerability factors there was no evidence of any psychiatric condition or chronic pain disorder prior to the insertion of the Implanon rod on 16 October 2006. However the report of the joint conference indicates that vulnerability factors had eroded Ms Hollier’s coping capacity.

(ii) Causation

184 It was Dr Spira’s view that Ms Hollier’s abnormal reaction to the implantation was a result of psychological vulnerability. The absence of a physical explanation for her pain syndrome was significant. Absent the prior vulnerability factors it was his view that the pattern of ongoing disability would not have occurred.

185 It was significant that Ms Hollier held a belief that the procedure carried out by Dr Sutcliffe had not been conducted properly. She perceived differences between what Dr Sutcliffe did when compared to her memory of the previous implantation by Dr Steele. Dr Steele used a scalpel whereas Dr Sutcliffe had used a relatively large bore cannula to make the incision (the latter, it should be noted, was consistent with the procedure recommended by the manufacturer and with competent professional practice). Ms Hollier perceived greater pressure on her arm during the procedure than she recalled from the earlier one. It is possible that the expected swelling and bruising she experienced was to a greater extent that previously. The fact that the first device she had obtained from the pharmacy was found to be defective was thought to be another possible point of distinction in her mind. The difficulty in palpating the device immediately after the procedure was a further point of distinction. The fact that Ms Hollier perceived instant relief from the removal of the implant by Dr Bui was seen as supporting the notion that she felt something had gone wrong six days earlier.

186 The report of the joint conference (Exhibit D) concludes on the question of causation as follows:

187 Drs Champion and Phillips prepared a report of views they had discussed before the joint conference (Exhibit G). It includes the following points:

188 Drs Champion and Phillips were of the view that it was possible that there was trauma to a peripheral nerve, perhaps a cutaneous branch, at the implantation site and that this would account for the nature, quality and distribution of the subsequent pain through central sensitisation of nociception, although they acknowledged that no such peripheral nerve damage had been identified. In relation to their preferred diagnosis the doctors concluded:

189 In oral evidence Dr Spira had a difficulty with the concept that there can be pain in the absence of pathology, putting aside two issues which were not relevant in this case. He did not know how much pain Ms Hollier was in, only that she was behaving as if she was in pain. On the other hand, Drs Phillips, Champion and Lewin agreed that she had suffered a severe pain experience from very shortly after the implantation procedure.

190 The doctors discussed the concept of somatisation. Dr Spira explained it as a situation in which an individual perceives an injury and develops complaints which are beyond the expected outcome of that pathology. There may be physical consequences and he gave the example of a person limiting or ceasing the use of a limb because of a perception of pain and thereafter experiencing pain in other unexpected locations in the body.

191 Dr Champion’s evidence was that the concept of somatisation was controversial and had been called into serious question in recent times. Dr Phillips and Dr Lewin also expressed caution in relation to somatisation. Dr Spira, on the other hand, said that on occasions he did see very clear evidence of somatisation in patients. In relation to Ms Hollier it was his view that there was a psychological rather than physical reaction. He regarded her as somebody who has had an “extraordinary response to what is a relatively minor noxious event”. He referred to Ms Hollier’s claim that she was not using her left arm and the fact that there was evidence she was in fact using it as indicating that there may be an element of somatisation. In his report of 30 October 2008 he said that the phenomenon that he saw suggested a psychogenic disorder of which a large part is an overvaluation of the effects of the implantation and that it was this that was responsible for Ms Hollier’s chronic complaints.

192 Dr Lewin indicated that he had been led to a “slightly different conclusion”. He referred to “epidemics of behaviour” seen in the past and gave the illustration of “the storm of cases of so-called RSI, which were initially attributed to a biological cause, but which evaporated”. He concluded his answer, “It may well be that there is shown to be an epidemic of these sorts of unusual pain presentations which don’t have a ready physical explanation”. I do not regard this answer as being at all definitive.

193 Dr Spira’s opinion was that it was impossible to explain Ms Hollier’s pain syndrome on the basis of either nerve damage or some pathology within the arm. To him, that left the explanation as being psychological rather than physical. (T230).

194 Dr Lewin was of a similar view. With malingering being put to one side, it was his view that the explanation was psychosocial (T230-231).

195 Dr Phillips referred to the onset of pain being first in point of time which was followed by the development of a depressive spectrum disorder. A depressive disorder may lower the threshold of a person to the experience of pain, establishing a vicious cycle, pain leading to depression and depression making the person more aware of the pain. It was not his view that the primary disturbance in this case was psychological (T231).

196 Dr Champion agreed with Dr Phillips. His view is perhaps best encapsulated in the following passage of his evidence (at T222.10 & 223.20):

198 There was general agreement that there was no evidence of nerve damage, although Dr Phillips stressed that some minor nerve damage at the time of the implantation could not be ruled out absolutely (T232).

199 Of some significance is the evidence of Dr Phillips that, although he expressed an uncertainty about the psychological aspects of the case, he felt that they were secondary rather than primary (T234.25).

200 Dr Phillips at one point noted that despite the various vulnerability factors Ms Hollier had not suffered from a recognisable and diagnosable psychiatric disorder that pre-existed the incident. He also said that her vulnerabilities may have made her less resilient and was thus more psychological vulnerable at the time of the second implantation procedure than she would have been, say, ten years earlier (T236).

201 Dr Lewin agreed. Dr Champion also agreed but to a limited extent. He felt that the vulnerability factors may have increased Ms Hollier’s risk of an adverse pain experience if something had gone wrong but also thought that this was rather offset by her positive attitude about having the procedure. He added, “Then, once the pain disorder had become persistent and with the addition of other vulnerability factors, there is no doubt that these psychological issues inevitably must emoted (sic – must have emoted?) the pain experience and contributed to chronicity” (T236.47).

202 Dr Lewin followed by indicating that in his view Ms Hollier’s perception of the implantation procedure being flawed was “at the base of her reaction” (T237.10) and “is likely to have been a salient event which was relevant to the initiation of this cascade of events we have been discussing” (T238.10). Dr Spira, in essence, agreed (T237.50). Dr Champion felt that Ms Hollier’s perception of the procedure being flawed only became relevant after the pain experience had commenced, and I take him to have been making a contrast with it being a cause of that experience (T238.15). Dr Phillips was also of the view that the perception of the procedure was important, although at this point in his evidence he did not relate it to the onset of the pain experience (T238.19 – 238.32).

Submissions as to causation

203 It was submitted on behalf of the plaintiff that because the plaintiff had a chronic pain condition in her arm which she did not have before but did have immediately after the insertion procedure, in the absence of any other explanation, it followed that the insertion was the cause of the pain. It was put that the onus was upon the defendant to prove otherwise (despite s 5E Civil Liability Act). Watts v Rake [1960] HCA 58; (1960) 108 CLR 158 and Purkess v Crittenden [1965] HCA 34; (1965) 114 CLR 164 were cited in support of the proposition.

204 I do not see that the mere coincidence of the two events occurring, the implantation and the experience of pain, necessarily establishes causation between breach and harm with a burden then passing to the defendant to prove otherwise. In any event, discussion of who bears a burden seems to me to be beside the point for present purposes. The critical issue is whether upon the whole of the evidence I am satisfied that a breach of duty by the defendant (which is being assumed for present purposes) was a cause of harm to the plaintiff.

205 The case for the plaintiff is that there was physical pain first and that any psychological response was consequential. It was submitted that I should accept the evidence of Dr Champion, with whom Dr Phillips agreed, that it was inappropriate to look separately at physical and psychological factors but rather they should be seen in combination. Reference was made to the “vicious cycle” of which Dr Phillips spoke and his view that psychological factors were secondary in this case.

206 It was submitted that I should reject the opinions of Drs Spira and Lewin insofar as they suggested that because there was no identifiable physical cause of pain then the cause was purely psychological. Reliance was placed upon the two papers tendered during the concurrent evidence (Exhibit H), Nondermatomal somatosensory deficits in patients with chronic pain disorder: Clinical findings and hypometabolic pattern in FDG-PET”, E. Niklaus et al, PAIN 145 (2009) 252-258 and the commentary upon that work, Nondermatomal somatosensory deficits (NDSDs): A neuropsychobiological phenomenon?, PAIN 145 (2009) 12-13.

208 It was submitted that these recently published works support a conclusion that there is a physical or biological component to the harm that the plaintiff has suffered that is interrelated with psychological factors and so, notwithstanding that precise physical damage directly caused by a faulty implantation procedure has not been identified, it can be concluded that the procedure was the cause of harm that was not limited to mental harm.

209 On behalf of the defendant it was contended that the plaintiff’s response was entirely one that can be categorised as mental harm and that it was triggered partly by pre-disposing vulnerability factors and partly by a perception by the plaintiff that the procedure was different to that which she had previously experienced and thereby faulty. Much reliance was placed upon the fact that there was no evidence that anything Dr Sutcliffe did or did not do in any way caused any nerve injury or other ongoing physical pathology that might otherwise explain her left sided pain syndrome.

Consideration

210 The evidence on this topic is of extreme complexity but I can state my conclusions quite briefly.

211 There are two matters I have mentioned earlier but that are important to bear in mind. First, there is no objective evidence of physical damage having been caused by the implantation procedure but this does not necessarily mean that the procedure was not faulty. I am assuming for present purposes that the procedure was not in accordance with competent professional practice. Secondly, it is common ground that the plaintiff is not malingering. I accept that whatever the cause, she genuinely believes that she has suffered the harm of which she complains.

212 I accept that the plaintiff suffers from a chronic pain syndrome but this does not satisfy the factual causation test in s 5D(1) of the Civil Liability Act. This is the “but for” test: Adeels Palace Pty Ltd v Moubarak [2009] HCA 48 at [45]; [2009] HCA 48; 239 CLR 420 at 440. The question is whether but for a negligent insertion of the Implanon would the harm complained of have occurred? According to the causation experts, the harm could have occurred irrespective of whether the scenario described by the plaintiff or that described by the defendant had occurred.

213 I am not satisfied to the required standard that negligence by the defendant was a necessary condition of the occurrence of the harm.

Section 32, Civil Liability Act

214 The defendant contends that she did not owe to the plaintiff a duty not to cause mental harm in reliance upon the provisions of s 32 of the Civil Liability Act. It is appropriate to deal with this issue as well, on the assumption that the plaintiff was in fact successful in establishing breach and causation. The section provides:

216 It has been contended on behalf of the defendant that the plaintiff is not a person of normal fortitude. The defendant contends that the plaintiff’s psychological injury has arisen in consequence of her idiosyncratic vulnerabilities that have affected her perception of the circumstances surrounding the insertion of the Implanon.

217 In response, the plaintiff contends that s 32(1) does not apply to the case as pleaded. The plaintiff’s claim is one of consequential mental harm caused by the negligent insertion of the implant. Implicit within the plaintiff’s submissions is the contention that s 32(1) deals with claims of pure mental harm which is not relevant to the present claim (See oral submissions at T474.25 – 475.6). However, s 32(1) is concerned with mental harm. It may be pure or consequential.

218 A contrast may be seen with Recommendation 34(b) of the Review of the Law of Negligence (Commonwealth of Australia, Canberra 2002 prepared by the panel chaired by Ipp AJA (as he then was) (“the Ipp Report”)) and the terms of s 32(1). The recommended provision referred to “pure mental harm” but the legislature omitted “pure”.

219 So, contrary to the plaintiff’s contention, I am satisfied that s 32(1) applies to the present case, assuming that liability had been established.

220 The defendant’s submission was that “a person of normal fortitude would not have had the psychiatric reaction identified by the causation experts” (emphasis added). With respect, I believe this is not in accordance with s 32(1) as well. The section speaks in terms of whether “a person of normal fortitude might, in the circumstances of the case, suffer a recognised psychiatric illness” (emphasis added). It does not speak of whether that hypothetical person might suffer the psychiatric illness from which the plaintiff suffered. Whether the plaintiff was a person of “normal fortitude” is not a relevant consideration. The focus is upon “a person”.

221 The notion that for the purposes of foreseeability, a person be of normal fortitude is not a novel concept. In Tame v New South Wales; Annetts v Australian Stations Pty Ltd [2002] HCA 35; 211 CLR 317, Gleeson CJ spoke of “normal fortitude” thus:

222 It has been accepted that the term normal fortitude is a “somewhat vague” concept and difficult in its application: see Lord Wright Bourhill v Young [1942] UKHL 5; [1943] AC 92 at 406. As to the latter point, Lord Wright stated:

224 The determination of normal fortitude is one that ultimately rests with the court. The Civil Liability Act does not define the concept. In Tame, supra, McHugh J said at [116], “It is no different from requiring a tribunal of fact to decide any issue of civil or criminal liability by reference to community standards”.

225 The cases provide some examples of the determination of an issue of normal fortitude.

226 In Tame, all of the judges agreed, although variously expressed, that the plaintiff’s reaction to an allegation that she had consumed alcohol prior to a motor vehicle collision was not that expected of a person of normal fortitude. It was a reaction, which Gummow and Kirby JJ described (at [233]) as “extreme or idiosyncratic”.

227 By contrast, in Annetts, the reaction of parents, who had entrusted the care of their son to the defendants, to the news of his death was that expected of a person of normal fortitude.

228 In Tomisevic v Menzies Wagga Southern Pty Ltd, [2005] NSWCA 178, Beazley JA (Mason P and Pearlman AJA agreeing) held that it was not reasonably foreseeable that a person of normal fortitude would suffer a recognisable psychiatric illness as a result of being splashed in the face by water contaminated by faeces.

229 In Crump v Equine Nutrition Systems Pty Ltd t/as Horsepower, [2006] NSWSC 512, the plaintiffs claimed damages for psychiatric harm arising out of the death of their horse caused by purchasing contaminated feed from the defendant. Hoeben J determined against the plaintiffs on this issue (see [257]) by applying Tame and Annetts in so far as it was not reasonably foreseeable that a horse owner of normal fortitude would develop a psychiatric injury in the circumstances of this case.

230 In CSR Limited and Another v Thompson [2003] NSWCA 329 at [43]; [2003] NSWCA 329; 59 NSWLR 77, Ipp JA (Handley and Sheller JJ agreeing) said that consequential mental symptoms such as emotional distress that do not amount to recognisable psychiatric harm are not compensable. In contrast, in the present case the defendant concedes the plaintiff suffers from a recognisable psychiatric illness.

231 In Bourhill v Young, supra, the plaintiff, a pregnant women, suffered nervous shock and subsequently gave birth to a still born child, in consequence of hearing a collision involving a motorcyclist. In discussing the issue of normal fortitude, Lord Porter said at 117:

232 In the present case the plaintiff underwent a relatively simple procedure for the insertion of a contraceptive implant. It was something that, if done in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations and competent professional practice, should have taken a matter of minutes. Ought the defendant have foreseen that a patient of normal fortitude might suffer a recognised psychiatric illness if she did not take reasonable care in carrying out the procedure? It would be well expected that if reasonable care was not taken there could be some physical harm caused to the patient. If the procedure was faulty in the manner for which the plaintiff has contended it could be foreseen some physical damage causing pain to the patient might result. However, in all of the circumstances, I cannot conclude that the defendant ought to have foreseen that a recognised psychiatric illness might be suffered.

233 Although I have arrived at this conclusion by considering the evidence as a whole, it is worth noting that the expert psychiatrist retained by the plaintiff, Dr Phillips, opined in his report dated 17 October 2008 that “there is no doubt in my mind that the plaintiff’s psychological reaction associated with the placement of the Implanion device on 16 October 2006 has been complex and unusual and beyond the reaction which might normally be expected given what I know about the issue”.

Damages

234 If the plaintiff had been successful in respect of all of the foregoing matters I would have assessed damages as follows.

Non-Economic Loss

235 The plaintiff in written submissions contended for an assessment of non-economic loss to the extent of 70% of a most extreme case. In reply, the defendant submitted that an assessment of 30% would be more appropriate in the circumstances.

236 The plaintiff’s entitlement to damages for non-economic loss is governed by s 16 with the rate determined by s 17 of the Civil Liability Act. Section 3 defines non-economic loss as any one or more of the:

237 The determination of general damages is as “an evaluative process in respect of which minds may reasonably differ”: see Woolworths Ltd v Lawlor [2004] NSWCA 209 at [14] per Beazley JA (with Hodgson and Tobias JA agreeing). The process has also been described as neither scientific nor normative: see Crystal Wall Pty Ltd v Pham [2005] NSWCA 449. In that case, McColl JA also accepted that a most extreme case refers to a category of cases rather than to a specific type of injury/condition. The examples of quadriplegia or total blindness combined with loss of limbs were approved as possible examples of a most extreme case: Crystal Wall v Pham, supra, per McColl JA at [53] – [54]. Importantly, in determining a suitable figure I must consider the severity of the plaintiff’s injuries and resultant disabilities and the consequences on the plaintiff as an individual: Thatcher v Charles (1961) 104 CLR 57 per Windeyer J at 71.

238 I have outlined in detail the plaintiff’s complaint of injury and specifically the adverse affect the incident has had on both her mental wellbeing and general day-to-day functioning. Although the plaintiff is currently aged 37 years, suffers from a depressive reaction with a range of reactive symptoms, anxiety and depressed mood, and requires ongoing treatment, I do not accept the submission that she is at 70% of the most extreme case. The submission on behalf of the defendant that 30% is the correct assessment is realistic and one that I do accept.

239 The maximum amount allowable for non-economic loss is $473,500.00. Thirty percent (30%) of the most extreme case provides for an amount of 23% of the maximum which results in a figure of $109,000.00

Past Care

240 The plaintiff relies primarily on the report of Ms. Trudie Warner, occupational therapist consultant, of 28 November 2007 in claiming both past and future care. Past care has been claimed in accordance with the information in Ms. Warner’s report, which was apparently provided by the plaintiff. It should be noted that Ms. Warner did not assess the plaintiff within her home and, it would seem, produced the report without the benefit of the ample medical evidence now available.

241 The claim for past care is governed by s 15 of the Civil Liability Act. Accordingly, the plaintiff is not entitled to recover for past care provided on a gratuitous basis unless the requirements of subsection (2) and (3) are satisfied.

242 The extent of the assistance reasonably required has been the subject of dispute and a consideration of the evidence is needed.

243 The plaintiff provided evidence that she was able to perform most tasks of daily living but avoided those tasks she perceived to aggravate her condition such as ironing and hanging out most items of washing. She gave evidence that she is able to do most other activities such as cooking, vacuuming, kitchen cleaning and shopping with the assistance of family members although she did give inconsistent evidence as to the extent to which her husband is able to assist given his own medical condition. Her husband, mother-in-law and sister provided evidence of a general nature supporting her need for assistance with the heavier aspects of cleaning chores.

244 It is difficult to place much weight on the report of Ms Warner. First, the assessment was conducted in an office without the benefit of seeing the plaintiff’s home for the purpose of assessing the reasonableness of the information provided by the plaintiff. Secondly, the assessment is somewhat outdated and was carried out without the benefit of a formal diagnosis as to the plaintiff’s medical condition. I fail to see how absent such a diagnosis and prognosis, an opinion can be expressed as to the need for care. At its highest, the report reproduces the plaintiff’s view on her need for assistance as at November 2007, rather than providing an objective evidence-based opinion as to what is reasonably required.

245 Dr McClure, psychiatrist, in his report of 28 November 2007 opined, “any requirement for domestic assistance or handyman assistance will depend upon Ms. Hollier’s physical injuries, not her psychiatric condition”. Dr McClure was qualified by the plaintiff.

246 Dr Champion, in his report of 6 February 2008, opined that Ms Hollier required domestic assistance for at least two hours housework per week but there was not sufficient time in that consultation to properly consider this topic. In a subsequent report of 12 February 2008, he stated that Ms Warner’s recommendations, “seemed to be reasonable and appropriate”. I do not put much weight on this comment as it is at odds with the two hours per week recommended by him less than a week earlier. Further, Dr Champion did caution that such assistance should “not encourage subsidence into greater dependency on long term provision of help”. Moreover, Dr Champion did not explain why the recommendations by Ms. Warner were endorsed or how they could be reconciled with his earlier opinion.

247 Associate Professor Mathew Kiernan, consultant neurologist, stated in his report of 22 December 2008 that, “from a neurological perspective, there is no indication for domestic assistance or handyman assistance”.

248 Ms Deborah Hammond, occupational therapist, assessed the plaintiff at her home in Victoria at the request of the defendant. In her report of 6 May 2009, she opined that the plaintiff did not require domestic assistance. The functional abilities observed by Ms Hammond would not readily support a need for domestic assistance. For example, she reported that Ms Hollier complained of difficulty with lifting heavy pots but Ms Hammond observed that she managed to be able to carry wet washing to the clothes line (Exhibit 4, tab 11, page 10). Ms Hammond was of the view that the need for past assistance with self care tasks and domestic duties was limited to three hours per day in the seven days immediately following the insertion procedure. This is insufficient for damages to be awarded: s 15(3).

249 Upon an assumption that the plaintiff has proven the injuries contended for, I am not satisfied of the reasonableness of the need for gratuitous past attendant care services to be provided, and certainly not to an extent that satisfies the thresholds of s 15(3).

Future care

250 The reports referred to above in which the provision of domestic assistance is contraindicated are also relevant to the need for future care.

251 It is not entirely clear whether the plaintiff makes the claim on the basis that future care will be provided on a gratuitous basis or commercially. Notwithstanding the importance of this distinction, it does not affect the following determination.

252 A claim for care to be provided by a commercial cleaning company would be against the evidence of both parties. As described above, Dr Lewin was against the provision of domestic assistance. Dr Phillips dismissed the idea of the plaintiff suddenly moving from gratuitous care provided by family members to care provided commercially (report of 16 September 2009 at page 5)..

253 I am not satisfied that the plaintiff has provided sufficient evidence that the gratuitous domestic assistance she has been receiving will cease thereby giving rise to a need for assistance to be provided on a commercial basis: see discussion in Miller v Galderisi [2009] NSWCA 353 at [14] to [24]. It was clear from the plaintiff’s evidence that she intends to continue to rely on the assistance of her children in the short to medium term (T60.5). Her claim for future gratuitous care is for four hours per week which does not satisfy the threshold imposed by s15 (3).

254 Beyond the short to medium term I am not satisfied that the need for the provision of care has been established. There are various recommendations in the reports as to treatments that the plaintiff should avail herself of which should obviate the need for care in the longer term. Moreover, and of particular significance in this respect is the opinion of Dr Lewin who stated in his report of 30 April 2009, that, “the provision of domestic assistance is contra-indicated. The reason for this is that any move towards recovery would be obstructed by the provision of services of this nature.”

Past economic loss

256 The plaintiff attended primary school at Morwell Park. She then attended High School until grade 11 when she left school as she “had a boyfriend and just wasn’t focused at the time”.

257 Upon leaving school, she performed a number of semi-skilled labour intensive roles. She described working in a fruit shop, manufacturing plant, flower farm and at a supermarket.

258 She subsequently undertook a hospitality course for the purpose of becoming a qualified chef. After meeting her present partner the family moved to live in Darwin in 2003. In 2005 when Mr. Parker was transferred to Holsworthy the family took up residence at Wattle Grove. During this period the plaintiff worked as a cook and thereafter as a commercial cleaner. Whilst in Sydney she continued working as a cleaner and thereafter as a chef. She holds a certificate in commercial cookery.

259 The plaintiff continued working as a chef until her mother suffered an injury in March 2006. At around that time she ceased work in order to take full time care of her mother. Her mother lived in Victoria but Ms Hollier moved her to Sydney so that she could live with the family at Wattle Grove.

260 The care that the plaintiff intended to provide to her mother requires some further consideration as it directly impacts upon the claim for economic loss. In her evidence in chief, the following exchange took place (at T57):

261 In any claim for economic loss, the plaintiff must establish two distinct but related requirements - first, the plaintiff’s earning capacity has diminished by reason of the negligence-caused injury and secondly, the diminution of earning capacity is or may be productive of financial loss: Medlin v State Government Insurance Commission [1995] HCA 5; (1995) 182 CLR 1 at 3; Graham v Baker [1961] HCA 48; (1961) 106 CLR 340 at 347.

262 In written submissions, the plaintiff has claimed economic loss from twelve months after the incident to the date of trial. The submissions are based on the plaintiff’s response to the question that included the assumptions as to her not having suffered the injury and her mother not requiring her assistance. But the reality is that her mother was sick and it is this fact that the plaintiff described as preventing her from returning to work.

263 A reference to the plaintiff sharing the care of her mother with her sister is not only inconsistent with the evidence provided in the above passage but also with other aspects of her evidence. The plaintiff said she moved her mother up from Victoria to Sydney to care for her (T29.5). The plaintiff’s sister resides in Victoria. It is difficult to imagine, given the distance, how the plaintiff and her sister would have both cared for their mother such that the plaintiff could have returned to work. The plaintiff would have had to return to Victoria or her sister move to Sydney such that they could share the care of their mother. The reason the plaintiff gave for moving to Victoria was “I could have some support from my family so I didn’t rely on my children as much” (T53.20). Had the incident involving Dr Sutcliff not incurred, it is reasonable to infer from the plaintiff’s evidence that she would not have moved to Victoria but would have remained in Sydney where she would have continued to care for her mother without any substantial assistance from her sister.

264 The plaintiff’s claim for past economic loss must fail on account of the fact that the impairment to, or deprivation of, her earning capacity in the past has not been productive of a financial loss. The evidence I have referred to makes abundantly clear that any past impairment to the plaintiff’s earning capacity caused by the incident has not resulted in a financial loss. Any negligence by the defendant has prevented Ms Hollier from caring for her mother rather than from working.

Future economic loss

265 The plaintiff’s claim for future economic loss is governed by s13 of the Civil Liability Act.

266 There is a body of expert evidence relevant to the determination of the nature and extent of the impact the plaintiff’s condition has had on her earning capacity.

268 In a report of 4 December 2007, Mr. Raymond Field, psychologist, described the plaintiff’s prognosis for a return to productive employment as very guarded. His opinion was expressed with regard to identified barriers to employment including, chronic pain and depression, uncertainty of medical condition, weight issues and lack of skills obtained from previous vocations. Recommendations were made regarding vocational assistance and referral to a pain management program.

270 Although Dr Champion provided a number of supplementary reports, his opinion in regards to employment capacity did not change.

271 Associate Professor Mathew Kiernan in his report of 22 December 2008 stated:

272 The evidence of Dr Sedal, neurologist, may be disregarded in this context as it is based upon a diagnosis of complex regional pain syndrome which was specifically rejected by all of the experts on causation.

273 Dr Crozie, vascular and endovascular surgeon, saw the plaintiff on one occasion and produced a report to Dr Stanford on 5 April 2007. In a subsequent report of 11 February 2009 no clear opinion is expressed regarding the plaintiff’s work capacity, which was expected given that Dr Crozie had only seen the plaintiff on one occasion for treatment purposes. The report produced in February 2009 is based largely on the symptoms reported by the plaintiff and not verified by examination.

275 Of the plaintiff’s evidence therefore, Dr Champion and Dr Phillips are reluctant to express a definitive view as to the plaintiff’s future employment prospects and much depends on the success of treatment. The opinions of Dr McClure and Mr Field were similarly guarded. Associate Professor Kiernan’s opinion would support the view that the plaintiff has not suffered an impairment to her earning capacity.

276 As to the Defendant’s evidence, Dr Spira opined in his report of 30 October 2008 that the plaintiff has “normally developed four limbs and the apparent weakness she demonstrates is in fact psychogenic rather than a true disability”. Dr Akkerman, psychiatrist, raised the issue of exaggeration of symptoms and malingering although this was dismissed by the causation experts. Dr Wendy Roberts, clinical psychologist, opined that the plaintiff would be better working and she had the capacity to do so. Dr Roberts, however, included in her assessment of the plaintiff that there was a measure of exaggeration which, again, is contrary to the assessment of the causation experts in dismissing malingering. Dr Lewin expressed the view that the plaintiff’s perception of her suffering from a serious physical injury is acting as a barrier to returning to work and recommends treatment for this with progress likely to occur if she accepts treatment. However, I am mindful that for the purposes of assessing damages, I will need to give more weight to the opinions of Dr Phillips and Dr Champion.

277 Against the opinions expressed in the individual reports, the experts did agree that the plaintiff displays an ongoing pattern of disability against a background of a depressive reaction for which treatment is required. It is reasonable to infer from the joint report of the causation experts, irrespective of the issue of causation, that the plaintiff does suffer from impairment to her earning capacity, which will continue whilst she remains without intensive treatment.

278 I accept that the plaintiff has an impairment to her earning capacity. It is necessary to quantify that impairment in monetary terms.

279 I am not assisted by the plaintiff’s written submissions on economic loss. An analysis of the Plaintiff’s taxation returns reveals that in the five years leading up to the subject incident, she had demonstrated earnings as follows: -

Financial years	Gross Salary or Wages
2001/2002	$0.00
2002/2003	$3,268.00
2003/2004	$30,235.00
2004/2005	$0.00
2005/2006	$7,724.00

280 It would seem that the plaintiff completed one full year of employment in the five years leading up to the subject incident. I am mindful that evidence of past earnings are in no way completely determinative of the impairment to the plaintiff’s future earning capacity but they do provide evidence of the plaintiff’s willingness to exploit her capacity to earn. From the evidence, the plaintiff has not readily exercised her earning capacity in the five years leading up to the incident, which makes it difficult, although not impossible, to assess her future earning capacity. The mere fact that the quantum of damages is difficult to assess does not mean that the plaintiff is only entitled to a nominal sum: State of New South Wales v Moss [2000] NSWCA 133 per Heydon JA at [72]; [2000] NSWCA 133; (2000) 54 NSWLR 536 at 554.

281 The plaintiff’s claim for economic loss is based on the assumption that she would have returned to full time work approximately twelve months after the incident and would have continued in full time employment. For the reasons provided under the heading past economic loss and the foregoing paragraphs, I am not satisfied that such a scenario represents her most likely future circumstances but for the injury: s 13(1) Civil Liability Act 2002.

282 The plaintiff has also claimed a total impairment to her earning capacity. This is made on the basis that the plaintiff will not return to the workforce. I do not accept this contention. The plaintiff’s evidence, even on its most generous interpretation, allows for the prospects of rehabilitation. The current claim places the plaintiff’s injuries at a level of total and permanent incapacity which is not substantiated by the medical evidence.

283 Had the incident not occurred, the plaintiff most likely would have continued to care for her mother up until a point in time when that care was no longer required. I infer that thereafter the plaintiff would have attempted to obtain employment as a commercial cleaner or chef consistent with her past history of employment and evidence given at trial. The question is: what, if any, impact has the subject incident had upon the plaintiff’s ability to enliven those circumstances?

284 It is difficult to determine the extent to which the plaintiff’s injuries will have on her earning capacity. The difficulty arises for a few reasons. First, the plaintiff’s history of employment in the period leading up to the incident is not one which gives me great confidence in making the assumption that she would have maintained consistent employment in the future. With this checked history of employment, I am troubled in determining when, and the extent to which, the plaintiff would have returned to work. Secondly, the plaintiff gave evidence that it was her intention to continue to care for her mother. No evidence was tendered as to her mother’s condition or as to the ongoing need for assistance or life expectancy, all of which would have borne upon the plaintiff’s desire to return to work. Thirdly, determination of the extent of the plaintiff’s future earning capacity is not clear on the evidence, especially considering the opinions expressed by Drs Phillips and Dr Champion. The plaintiff did express a desire to continue with treatment and I infer that she would have obtained that treatment had her financial circumstances permitted. The report of the joint conference of causation experts includes recommendations as to treatment. I therefore infer that the recommendations were made on the basis that it is probable the treatment will have an overall beneficial effect on the plaintiff’s health, including her ability to re-enter the work force.

285 Having regard to the difficulties in adopting an arithmetic approach in determining economic loss I accept the submission on behalf of the defendant that an award should be made in the form of a buffer, consistent with the principles expounded by Giles JA in Penrith City Council v Parks [2004] NSWCA 201, subsequently referred to with approval, most recently in Sretenovic v Reed [2009] NSWCA 280.

286 For these reasons, I determine an award of $100,000.00 would be appropriate as a buffer for future economic loss. In awarding this amount, I have accepted that subsequent to obtaining the appropriate treatment, the plaintiff will be able to resume employment in a full time capacity without suffering an ongoing economic loss: s 13(3) of the Act.

Past Out of Pocket Expenses

287 The parties have agreed on the figure for past out of pocket expenses (T473.14).

Future Out of Pocket Expenses

288 The plaintiff makes a claim for a myriad of treatment expenses outlined in the various medico-legal reports. Alternatively, the defendant has submitted that the plaintiff should only be compensated for that treatment recommended in the report of Dr Lewin of 30 April 2009.

289 After having regard to the medical evidence relied upon by both parties in this claim, I accept the recommendations made by the causation experts in the joint conference report to be the most compelling.

291 As to the costing of such treatment, I have relied on the figures contained within the various medico-legal reports and estimate the following: -

292 The plaintiff has also made a reasonable claim for the cost of general practitioner consultations and travel expenses. I will allow for monthly visits at $50.00 and an associated travel fee of $5.00. However I determine that such treatment will only be required over the next four years, thus amounting to $2,406.46.

293 The balance of the claim for treatment expenses made by the plaintiff is either repetitive or unreasonable. As to the claim made for equipment to assist with domestic duties around the home, the opinion of Ms Hammond, who I reiterate made a more recent assessment that Ms Warner and, importantly, in the plaintiff’s home, was that such items that were recommended by Mr Warner were unnecessary. I accept that assessment.

Summary of conclusions as to damages

Non-Economic Loss	$109,000.00
Past Economic Loss	Nil
Future Economic Loss	$100,000.00
Past Care	Nil
Future Care	Nil
Past Out of Pocket Expenses	As agreed
Future Out of Pocket Expenses	$21,251.54

Supreme Court of New South Wales

Hollier v Sutcliffe [2010] NSWSC 279 (23 April 2010)