What to do if your doctor ignored your symptoms: a guide for ACT patients

You went to your doctor because something was wrong, and instead of taking you seriously, they dismissed your concerns, sent you home, or told you it was “nothing to worry about”. Now you are dealing with injuries, challenges, or issues that could have been prevented. 

If this sounds familiar, you are not alone. At Maliganis Edwards Johnson, we help Canberra patients who have been let down by their doctors. 

Medical negligence cases are important not only because they get you the compensation you deserve, but they also help make the system more accountable and can prevent further harm to other patients.

What does it mean when a doctor ignores your symptoms?

When we talk about a doctor “ignoring” symptoms, we mean situations where a doctor:

• Dismissed your concerns without proper investigation
• Failed to order appropriate tests or referrals
• Didn’t follow up on worrying symptoms
• Misdiagnosed your condition due to not listening properly
• Told you symptoms were “in your head” without ruling out physical causes
• Sent you home when symptoms required urgent attention

When doctors fail to properly investigate symptoms, serious conditions can go undiagnosed and untreated.

When does this become medical negligence?

Not every missed diagnosis is negligence. But if your doctor’s failure to properly respond to your symptoms fell below acceptable medical standards and caused you harm, you may have a medical negligence claim.

Medical negligence occurs when:

1. Your doctor owed you a duty of care (which they do when treating you)
2. They breached that duty by failing to meet the standard expected of a reasonable doctor
3. This breach caused you harm or injury
4. You’ve suffered losses as a result

Common examples in Canberra and the ACT:

Cancer diagnosis delays: Dismissing lumps, persistent pain, or unusual bleeding that later turns out to be cancer.  While each case is considered on its own facts, usually a lengthy period of delay (over a year) is required to establish causation of a worse outcome.  

Heart attack misdiagnosis: Sending patients home with chest pain, particularly women whose symptoms may present differently.

Stroke delays: Failing to recognise stroke symptoms or dismissing them as something less serious.

Infection complications: Not investigating persistent infections that develop into sepsis or other serious conditions.

What to do if your doctor ignored your symptoms 

1. Seek immediate medical attention elsewhere

Your health comes first. See another doctor, get a second opinion, or go to hospital if symptoms are severe. Do not stay with a doctor who is not listening to you.

2. Document everything

Keep detailed records of:

• What symptoms you reported and when
• What your doctor said or did (or did not do)
• How your condition has worsened
• All medical records, test results, and appointment notes
• The impact on your daily life

3. Request your medical records

You have a legal right to access your medical records under ACT law. Request copies from your GP clinic, hospitals, specialists, and any pathology or imaging centres you’ve attended. Not sure how to do this? We can help.

4. Get legal advice early

Medical negligence cases are complex and time-sensitive. In the ACT, you generally have three years from when you became aware of the negligence to start a claim.

Speaking to a Canberra medical negligence lawyer early means understanding whether you have a valid claim, preserving evidence, meeting deadlines, and getting expert medical opinions to support your case.

At MEJ, we offer a free, no-obligation consultation.

5. Consider making a complaint

You can lodge a formal complaint with the Health Services Commissioner (ACT) or the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). This will notget you compensation, but it can hold your doctor accountable and protect other patients.

Take the next step

If you are dealing with the consequences of a doctor ignoring your symptoms in Canberra or anywhere in the ACT, contact Maliganis Edwards Johnson for a free, confidential consultation.

Call us today on 1800 570 778 or contact us online to arrange your free consultation.