A teenage boy’s testicle was removed after an out-of-hours GP failed to recognise the signs of a medical emergency, sparking concerns over urgent care protocols and professional standards.
A teenage boy underwent surgery to remove one of his testicles after a locum GP allegedly failed to recognise the signs of a medical emergency, according to a professional misconduct hearing. The case is one of two involving Dr Alicia Marton Martinez, who provided out-of-hours care three years ago through SouthDoc, an urgent GP service.
The boy’s mother recounted how her son woke up early one morning with severe testicular pain and swelling. After researching symptoms online, she suspected testicular torsion, a condition where the spermatic cord twists and cuts off blood flow to the testicle, demanding immediate medical intervention to prevent permanent damage. She contacted SouthDoc and an hour later Dr Marton Martinez reportedly dismissed the concerns as “normal for a teenage boy,” advising the use of a cold compress and ibuprofen over the phone. The mother described the GP’s tone as “brisk and impatient.”
Following a brief two-minute examination at the clinic, the doctor reiterated the same advice. Only a week later, with the mother abroad, the boy was referred to Cork University Hospital in severe pain, where surgery resulted in the removal of his testicle. Expert testimony from Professor Tom O’Dowd, who appeared at the inquiry, stressed the gravity of the situation, stating that immediate referral to an emergency department would have had a 90% chance of saving the testicle. He condemned the doctor’s treatment as “incompetent practice” and noted that applying a cold compress likely exacerbated the boy’s pain.
Medical literature underlines the urgency of testicular torsion treatment. Symptoms often include sudden, severe scrotal pain, swelling, and abdominal discomfort. If treated within six hours of symptom onset, over 90% of testicles can be saved; delays beyond this drastically reduce success, with less than 10% saved after 24 hours. This highlights the critical nature of prompt diagnosis and intervention in such cases.
The inquiry also reviewed a second case involving a three-week-old infant who presented with fever, mottled skin, and poor feeding. The baby’s father said Dr Marton Martinez downplayed the severity of symptoms, initially suggesting mild treatment and not recognising the seriousness. After correction regarding the baby’s care, another GP intervened and referred the infant to hospital, where he was diagnosed with viral meningitis and required several days of hospital care. Professor O’Dowd criticised the GP’s handling, saying she had “disgraced the profession and dishonoured the patients.”
Dr Marton Martinez, who qualified as a doctor in Spain in 1988, did not attend the hearing and is not legally represented. Earlier, she voluntarily agreed to cease practising medicine while under investigation. The hearing is ongoing.
This case draws attention to the broader issues surrounding testicular emergencies. Previous investigations have highlighted similar NHS errors leading to preventable loss of testicles, including delayed diagnosis or surgery. For example, a 20-year-old university student lost a testicle following NHS delays in diagnosing testicular torsion, prompting calls for improved clinical awareness and swifter action.
Furthermore, surgical errors such as operating on the wrong testicle have also been documented, underscoring the importance of accuracy and patient safety in urological treatments. The implications of losing a testicle include potential impacts on fertility, emotional distress, and the need for follow-up care or prosthetic solutions, emphasizing the need for timely and correct medical responses.
As the inquiry into Dr Marton Martinez’s conduct proceeds, it underscores the vital role of prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment in preventing serious complications from conditions like testicular torsion and highlights the consequences when medical professionals fail to meet these standards.
📌 Reference Map:
- [1] (Irish Mirror) – Paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
- [2] (HealthyChildren.org) – Paragraph 3
- [3] (Cork University Hospital) – Paragraph 3
- [4] (Evening Standard) – Paragraph 8
- [5] (Evening Standard) – Paragraph 9
- [6] (Cancer Research UK) – Paragraph 9
Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative appears to be original, with no evidence of prior publication. The earliest known publication date of similar content is from 2019, involving a misdiagnosis leading to testicle removal. ([wbtv.com](https://www.wbtv.com/2019/03/26/lawsuit-incorrect-diagnosis-colleton-co-hospital-led-removal-childs-left-testicle/?utm_source=openai)) The report is based on a recent professional misconduct hearing, indicating high freshness. No signs of recycled or republished content were found.
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
The direct quotes from the boy’s mother and Professor Tom O’Dowd are unique to this report, with no identical matches found online. This suggests the content is original or exclusive. Variations in wording compared to other reports were noted, but no significant discrepancies were found.
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative originates from the Irish Mirror, a reputable UK news outlet. However, the report’s reliance on a single source, the professional misconduct hearing, introduces some uncertainty. The absence of additional corroborating sources or official statements from SouthDoc or Dr. Alicia Marton Martinez limits the ability to fully verify the claims.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The claims are plausible and align with known medical conditions and procedures. Similar cases have been reported, such as a 2019 incident in Colleton County, SC, where a misdiagnosis led to the removal of a child’s testicle. ([wbtv.com](https://www.wbtv.com/2019/03/26/lawsuit-incorrect-diagnosis-colleton-co-hospital-led-removal-childs-left-testicle/?utm_source=openai)) The narrative includes specific details, such as the involvement of Professor Tom O’Dowd and the reference to medical literature on testicular torsion, enhancing its credibility. However, the lack of direct statements from the involved parties and reliance on a single source warrant cautious interpretation.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative presents a plausible and original account of a teenage boy undergoing testicle removal after a GP’s misdiagnosis. While the report is fresh and includes unique quotes, it relies on a single source with limited corroboration, leading to a medium confidence level. Further verification from additional sources is recommended to fully substantiate the claims.
