Prison's deadly delay: Woman's ruptured appendix ignored for six days

A prisoner suffered a burst appendix after prison staff misdiagnosed her condition as a stomach bug. The woman waited six days for surgery, despite showing severe symptoms. The Health and Disability Commissioner later ruled that the Department of Corrections had failed in its duty of care.

The incident began when the woman, whose name was not released, reported severe pain and vomiting. Instead of a full examination, nurses assumed she had a stomach virus. No one checked her vital signs or tracked her fluid intake, even as her condition worsened.

Over the following days, multiple nurses assessed her but missed signs of a burst appendix. It was only on July 5, 2022, after blood tests were finally conducted, that she was sent to hospital. Surgeons operated the next day, confirming the appendix had ruptured.

The woman remained in hospital for nine days before being discharged on July 14, 2022. An investigation later revealed that the prison faced staffing shortages at the time, with high vacancy rates, turnover, and absences. The Health and Disability Commissioner criticised the lack of proper monitoring and delayed treatment.

Following the findings, the Department of Corrections issued a formal apology to the woman. The prison has since introduced new measures, including extra medical support, updated healthcare guidelines, and mandatory training sessions for staff.

The case exposed serious gaps in prison healthcare, leading to policy changes and improved training. The woman received an apology, and the prison has strengthened its medical procedures. These steps aim to prevent similar failures in the future.