Sparks v Hobson; Gray v Hobson [2018] NSWCA 29

Court of Appeal Supreme Court New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Sparks v Hobson; Gray v Hobson [2018] NSWCA 29 Hearing dates: 6 and 7 November 2017 Decision date: 01 March 2018 Before: Basten JA at [1]; Macfarlan JA at [107]; Simpson JA at [239] Decision: (1) Dismiss Dr Sparks' appeal with costs; (2) Allow Dr Gray's appeal; (3) Set aside orders 1 and 2 made at first instance so far as they relate to Dr Gray; (4) Judgment for Dr Gray on the respondent's claim against him. (5) Order the respondent to pay Dr Gray's costs of the proceedings at first instance and on appeal; (6) Grant the respondent a certificate under the Suitors' Fund Act 1951 (NSW) in relation to Dr Gray's appeal. Catchwords: NEGLIGENCE – medical negligence – respondent became paraplegic as a result of surgery – principal anaesthetist's attempts to address respondent's continuing high carbon dioxide levels during operation were unsuccessful – whether head surgeon and principal anaesthetist negligent in failing to terminate operation earlier than occurred – roles and responsibilities of head surgeon and principal anaesthetist

NEGLIGENCE – medical negligence – peer professional opinion – Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW) s 5O – whether necessary that at the time of the alleged negligence there was an established practice which was widely accepted as competent medical practice – McKenna v Hunter & New England Local Health District [2013] NSWCA 476; (2013) Aust Torts Rep 82-158 considered

NEGLIGENCE – medical negligence – inherent risk – Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW) s 5I – whether risk of neurological injury was inherent risk of surgery that could not have been avoided by the exercise of reasonable care and skill Legislation Cited: Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW), ss 5B, 5 I, 5 O; Pt 1A, Div 6 Interpretation Act 1987 (NSW), ss 34, 35 Cases Cited: Adeels Palace Pty Ltd v Moubarak; Adeels Palace Pty Ltd v Bou Najem (2009) 239 CLR 420; [2009] HCA 48 Bolam v Friern Hospital Management Committee [1957] 1 WLR 582; [1957] 2 All ER 118 CEMEX Australia Pty Ltd v Takeovers Panel (2009) 177 FCR 98; [2009] FCAFC 78 Dobler v Halverson (2007) 70 NSWLR 151; [2007] NSWCA 335 Elliott v Bickerstaff (1999) 48 NSWLR 214; [1999] NSWCA 453 Federal Commissioner of Taxation v St Helens Farm (ACT) Pty Ltd (1981) 146 CLR 336 at 410; [1981] HCA 4 Garcia v National Australia Bank (1998) 194 CLR 395; [1998] HCA 48 Holmes a Court v Papaconstuntinos [2011] NSWCA 59 Gett v Tabet (2009) 254 ALR 504; [2009] NSWCA 76 Harrison v Melhem (2008) 72 NSWLR 380; [2008] NSWCA 67 Hunter and New England Local Health District v McKenna; Hunter and New England Local Health District v Simon (2014) 253 CLR 270; [2014] HCA 44 McKenna v Hunter & New England Local Health District; Simon v Hunter & New England Local Health District [2013] NSWCA 476; (2013) Aust Torts Reports 82-158 Ingram v Fitzgerald [1936] NZLR 905 Montgomery v Lanarkshire Health Board [2015] 1 AC 1430 Naxakis v Western General Hospital (1999) 197 CLR 269; [1999] HCA 22 Paul v Cooke (2013) 85 NSWLR 167; [2013] NSWCA 311 Qidwai v Brown [1984] 1 NSWLR 100 Rogers v Whitaker (1992) 175 CLR 479; [1992] HCA 58 Rosenberg v Percival (2001) 205 CLR 434; [2001] HCA 18 Sidaway v Board of Governors of the Bethlem Royal Hospital [1984] 1 QB 493 Sidaway v Board of Governors of Bethlem Royal Hospital [1985] AC 871 Sydney South West Area Health Service v MD [2009] NSWCA 343; (2009) 260 ALR 702 The Nominal Defendant v Buck Cooper [2017] NSWCA 280 Category: Principal judgment Parties: CA 2017/165207 Dr Christopher Sparks (Appellant) Brendan Hobson (Respondent)