Cork Teen Undergoes Surgery After Alleged Misdiagnosis by GP

A teenager from Cork had to undergo surgery to remove one of his testicles after a general practitioner allegedly failed to diagnose a serious condition related to a swollen testicle. The inquiry into the medical treatment received by the youth, referred to as Patient A, has raised significant concerns regarding the professional conduct of Dr. Alicia Marton Martinez, who was working as a locum GP with SouthDoc, a service providing out-of-hours medical care in Cork and Kerry.

The inquiry, conducted by the Medical Council, has heard claims that Dr. Marton Martinez displayed poor professional performance and misconduct in her treatment of both Patient A and a three-week-old infant, known as Patient B. Allegations against her include failing to refer the infant, who presented with serious symptoms, to an emergency department. An expert witness noted that the baby might have faced life-threatening consequences were it not for his parents’ determination to seek further medical attention.

Dr. Marton Martinez, who qualified as a doctor in Spain in 1988, did not attend the inquiry and is not currently represented legally. Following an interim suspension order sought by the Medical Council, she voluntarily agreed in September 2023 to refrain from practicing medicine until further notice.

On October 10, 2022, Patient A’s mother reported that her son, then 14, experienced significant pain and swelling in one of his testicles. Concerned he might have a case of testicular torsion, a serious condition where blood flow to the testicle is compromised, she contacted SouthDoc for medical advice. Dr. Marton Martinez returned her call approximately an hour later and allegedly dismissed the symptoms as normal for a teenage boy.

During the inquiry, the mother recalled Dr. Marton Martinez suggesting that her son apply a cold compress and take Ibuprofen for pain relief over the course of a week. She expressed her dissatisfaction with this advice, feeling that the locum’s tone was “brisk and impatient.” After a brief examination at the SouthDoc clinic, the mother was reassured that her son did not have testicular torsion. A week later, while abroad, she learned that her son had been admitted to Cork University Hospital, where he underwent surgery to remove the affected testicle due to severe pain.

In a separate case, the father of Patient B recounted his experience when he sought medical advice on November 12, 2022. His infant son exhibited alarming symptoms, including a fever, irritability, and mottled skin. Despite expressing his concerns, Dr. Marton Martinez reportedly reassured him that the symptoms did not warrant immediate attention and suggested administering Calpol, a common fever reducer. The father insisted that the guidance was inappropriate for an infant of this age, and after some confusion, the doctor eventually acknowledged the error.

The inquiry revealed that another physician, Dr. Anas Matar, later examined Patient B and recognized the need for urgent care, referring the infant to Cork University Hospital, where he was diagnosed with viral meningitis and required several days of hospital treatment.

An expert witness, Tom O’Dowd, provided compelling testimony during the inquiry, stating that there would have been a 90% chance of saving Patient A’s testicle had Dr. Marton Martinez referred him to an emergency department. He characterized her actions as “incompetent practice,” noting that the recommendation to use a cold compress likely exacerbated the boy’s discomfort. O’Dowd emphasized that testicular torsion is a well-known medical emergency and that any competent GP should have recognized the severity of the symptoms presented by Patient A.

Furthermore, O’Dowd expressed that the alarming symptoms displayed by Patient B were indicative of a serious condition requiring immediate attention, and the failure to act appropriately constituted a significant breach of medical standards. He concluded that Dr. Marton Martinez’s conduct not only endangered her patients but also undermined the integrity of the medical profession.

The inquiry into Dr. Marton Martinez’s conduct has been adjourned, leaving many questions regarding patient safety and the accountability of medical professionals in emergency situations.