A 20-year-old university student was left with significant hearing loss, arthritis, daily headaches, extreme fatigue, memory impairment and concentration problems after a doctor and nurses failed to diagnose her with bacterial meningitis.
Health and Disability Commissioner Anthony Hill has reprimanded a doctor and nurse for their care of the woman.
The student went to the university's health clinic after having a sore throat and tiredness for two days. A nurse took a throat swab but it came back clear so she gave her advice on how to manage the pain.
The next day the student was feeling worse so phoned the health service and talked to a nurse who booked an appointment with the doctor that afternoon.
The student cancelled the appointment because she felt too sick to go but her boyfriend rang a third nurse and said she was too sick to swallow or get out of bed. A new appointment was made and she went to the doctor that afternoon.