‘Extremely traumatic’: Doctor’s error with implant leads to pregnancy and termination

A doctor failed to reinsert a contraceptive device, leading to a person becoming pregnant and having a traumatic termination. Deputy Health and Disability Commissioner Vanessa Caldwell found the doctor in breach of the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers’ Rights. The clinic apologised and implemented changes; the doctor was advised to improve communication and documentation skills.

A person with a “major fear” of falling pregnant ended up needing a termination after a doctor at a sexual health clinic failed to reimplant a contraceptive device when the other one expired. It led to an “extremely traumatic” termination and a complaint against the doctor, who was unable to justify what happened. In a report released today, Deputy Health and Disability Commissioner Vanessa Caldwell acknowledged the ongoing traumatic effect of the event on the non-binary complainant, Mx A.



.