Hucks v Cole

(1993) 4 Med LR 393

COURT OF APPEAL

Lord DENNING MR, Lord Justice DIPLOCK, and Lord Justice SACHS

Professional liability — General practitioner — Obstetrics — Patient with septic spot admitted to maternity ward — Tetracycline course prescribed by doctor — Septic spots not healed at end of course — Patient discharged — Development of fulminating septicaemia — Whether failure to prescribe penicillin was negligent — Consideration of medical practice where risks of grave danger knowingly taken particularly if risks could be easily and inexpensively avoided — Evidence — Expert evidence — Lacuna in medical professional practice — Need for court to consider reasonableness of practice