Obtaining consent from non-English speaking patients

Date: October 5, 2016

 

George v Biggs [2015] NSWDC 11

Key Points

Background

Sandra George is an elderly Macedonian speaker with a limited grasp of the English language.  In 2009, she began to suffer from worsening hearing impairment and associated issues.

It was found that Ms George had a right sided acoustic neuroma (tumour) of the vestibular nerve.  Following four consultations, Ms George underwent a procedure to remove the tumour.

The procedure was performed following consultations during which Ms George had been assisted by interpreters.  At the first two consultations, a friend acted as an interpreter for Ms George. At the second two consultations, Ms George was assisted by an accredited interpreter.

During the course of the procedure, an adjoining facial nerve was severed which resulted in Ms George suffering from irreparable facial palsy.

In 2012, Ms George commenced proceedings against the surgeon, Nigel Biggs and St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney seeking damages in negligence. Ms George’s position was that she was provided with inadequate information pre-operatively and prior to giving her consent to the procedure, and that the damage to her facial nerve occurred as a result of the negligence of Dr Biggs.

The trial Judge found the patient was not successful in relation to her allegation that there had been negligent performance of the surgery, however, the patient was successful in establishing that there had been a failure to warn her of the risks and was awarded $331,000.

The hospital and Dr Biggs appealed the decision.

Findings

The Court of Appeal allowed the appeal and set aside the judgment in favour of Ms George.  It was found (among other things) that:

Perhaps most importantly, the Court of Appeal rejected the argument that practitioners must take additional steps to ensure a patient understands, or that the patient understands an interpreter. The Court of Appeal clarified the content of the duty of care owed by a practitioner to a patient with limited grasp of the English Language.  The Court of Appeal held that the duty is to take reasonable care to ensure that the material risks relating to a surgical procedure are conveyed, and that the practitioners satisfy themselves that the substance of the information has been conveyed and been understood.

Conclusion

This decision should act as a reminder to practitioners that not only do they have a duty to ensure that patients are adequately advised of the risks of treatment and alternative treatment options, but they must also convey the information in a manner in which the patient can understand.  Where a patient has a limited grasp of the English language, an accredited interpreter should be used in order to ensure that the substance of the information has been conveyed and been understood.

Contact:

The Health Law team

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