Ms Scaddon was reviewed by the consultant gynaecologist on the independent sector for heavy bleeding. She claimed that owing to his failure to detect a fibroid protruding through the cervix at the time of the primary consultation, there was an unnecessary delay in further investigations and treatment. It was also claimed that she should have been referred for a hysteroscopy urgently, which would have culminated in the performance of her hysterectomy seven months earlier than when it was finally performed. This unnecessary delay caused her to suffer continuing physical symptoms and develop a generalised anxiety disorder.