Home » Australia » Politics » Doctor ‘wasn’t aware’ Kate Sylvia was taking contraceptive pill before incorrectly diagnosing a migraine, inquest hears

Doctor ‘wasn’t aware’ Kate Sylvia was taking contraceptive pill before incorrectly diagnosing a migraine, inquest hears

by admin
0 comment 2 views

Kate Sylvia was a school librarian at Adelaide's Pembroke College when she died in December 2021. (Supplied)

In short:

A doctor has told an inquest he didn't know Kate Sylvia had slurred speech or was taking the contraceptive pill when he incorrectly diagnosed her with a migraine three years ago.

The 32-year-old died just days later from blood clots in her brain after being advised to go home and "sleep it off".

What's next?

The inquest, before Deputy State Coroner Naomi Kereru, is continuing.

An inquest has heard that a doctor who incorrectly diagnosed a woman with a migraine four days before she died had not been told she had slurred speech and was taking the contraceptive pill.

Deputy State Coroner Naomi Kereru is investigating the death of 32-year-old Kate Maria Sylvia, who died from cerebral venous sinus thrombosis after being prematurely diagnosed with a migraine in December 2021.

Ms Sylvia died on December 6 at the Royal Adelaide Hospital after she first came to the attention of medical practitioners on December 2.

Doctor 'wasn't aware' Kate Sylvia was taking contraceptive pill before incorrectly diagnosing a migraine, inquest hears

Kate Sylvia initially texted her mother that she was in "agony" and "dying on the bathroom floor". (Supplied)

General practitioner Lyall Henderson, who was working at the Sefton Park Immediate Care Centre and assessed Ms Sylvia that morning, said there were "no abnormal findings" when he conducted a neurological assessment of Ms Sylvia.

He said he conducted three assessments from the time she arrived at the clinic by ambulance at about 10:15am and when she was discharged that afternoon at around 3pm.

"In this instance, I certainly listened to Kate’s mum’s concerns but ultimately listened more to what Kate herself was saying, which was that she was feeling a lot better, wanted to go home," Dr Henderson said.

"And, listening also to my own clinical judgement, which was that the presentation was consistent with a migraine.

"Kate had had significant improvement with migraine treatment and that there were no red flags present."

The court previously heard that Ms Sylvia’s mother Kathryn had objected, saying her daughter didn’t usually get migraines.

Mrs Sylvia said when she questioned the doctor about why her daughter still sounded "groggy" and "slurry", he told her that Ms Sylvia was potentially still experiencing the "lasting effects" of the medication.

"He said: 'You just need to take her home, put her in a dark room, let her sleep it off'," Mrs Sylvia said.

"He said: 'Statistically, people in their twenties and thirties don't have strokes'."

Doctor 'wasn't aware' Kate Sylvia was taking contraceptive pill before incorrectly diagnosing a migraine, inquest hears

Kate's mother Kathryn said she was acting "like someone under anaesthetic" the morning after being discharged from the medical centre. (Supplied)

Nick Xenophon, for the family, asked Dr Henderson whether he was aware that Ms Sylvia had only recently started taking the contraceptive pill, which he said can heighten a person’s risk of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis.

"I wasn’t aware that she was on the contraceptive pill," he said.

Mr Xenophon presented Dr Henderson with the notes he was given from the paramedics and pointed out that one of the listed medications was the pill.

"Your previous evidence as I understand it was that you read the material that was provided to you by SA Ambulance," he said.

"Yes," Dr Henderson responded.

"Is it fair to say now you didn’t adequately read that material, given that references made to the oral contraceptive pill?"

"I agree that I didn’t take in that line of text."

During the questioning, Dr Henderson became emotional, telling the coroner; "I don’t know how to respond to that question other than I do my best all the time".

Dr Henderson said if he had known Ms Sylvia was taking the contraceptive pill it would have been a factor he assessed, but it would not have changed his "assessment and management" of her as a patient.

Doctor 'wasn't aware' Kate Sylvia was taking contraceptive pill before incorrectly diagnosing a migraine, inquest hears

The Coroners Court in Adelaide, where the inquest into Ms Sylvia's death is taking place. (ABC News: Justin Hewitson)

During his line of questioning, Mr Xenophon asked the court to play a recording of the 000 call made by Mrs Sylvia the morning of December 2, in which she tells paramedics her daughter is having trouble speaking.

Dr Henderson said that information had never been conveyed to him and that if he knew she had slurred speech he would have recommended she go to an emergency department for treatment.

"If I’d been informed of it at the outset then I would have suggested that Kate shouldn’t come to us from the beginning," he said.  

"I would have said this person is better off assessed in a tertiary emergency department."

Mr Xenophon told Dr Henderson that Ms Sylvia’s family hold "no ill will" towards him.

Dr Henderson said he became aware of Ms Sylvia’s death in the following days and that his interactions with her will stay with him for life.

"This case, in particular, when I found out what had happened it was cemented into my mind forever, I think," he said.

Dr Henderson disagreed with Mrs Sylvia’s evidence from Tuesday, saying he did not say "that young people don’t die of strokes".

"I wouldn’t say that because it’s not true," he said.

"Young people can die of strokes the same way that older people can.

"What I would’ve said is that a stroke is unlikely in this situation," Dr Henderson said.

The inquest continues.

You may also like

Leave a Comment

About Us

Our website is your guide to the world of Australian finance and business. We deliver up-to-date economic news, market analysis, stock trends, and insights into property, investments, and banking.

Feature Posts

Newsletter

Subscribe my Newsletter for new blog posts, tips & new photos. Let's stay updated!

@2024 – All Right Reserved. ABC Australia – Australian financial and business news.

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Accept No accept

Are you sure want to unlock this post?
Unlock left : 0
Are you sure want to cancel subscription?