A teen underwent surgery to remove a testicle after a doctor allegedly missed a medical emergency, a hearing revealed. The incident involving Dr. Alicia Marton Martinez, a locum GP with SouthDoc, occurred three years ago. The doctor faces accusations of professional misconduct over her treatment of two patients, a 14-year-old boy, and a three-week-old baby.
The boy’s mother sought medical help when her son complained of a swollen testicle and severe pain, suspecting testicular torsion, a critical condition where blood flow to the testicle is blocked. Dr. Marton Martinez reportedly dismissed the situation as normal for a teenager, advising a cold compress and ibuprofen. The boy later had his testicle removed after being referred to a hospital.
An expert witness criticized the doctor’s actions, stating that an immediate referral could have saved the testicle. Another case involved a baby with concerning symptoms, where the doctor initially downplayed the severity. After being challenged by the baby’s father, a different doctor promptly referred the baby to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with viral meningitis.
The inquiry highlighted the doctor’s questionable practices, leading to strong criticism from medical professionals. Dr. Marton Martinez, who refrained from attending the hearing, previously agreed not to practice medicine during the investigation. The inquiry was adjourned and is set to continue on Tuesday.