Jacqueline Sleight sues Barwon Health over Leonard Sleight’s death

A woman is suing Barwon Health, claiming doctors failed to diagnose her husband with pancreatic cancer before his sudden death.

A Geelong-based family is suing Barwon Health, claiming doctors failed to diagnose Leonard Sleight with pancreatic cancer.

A family is suing Barwon Health, claiming doctors failed to diagnose a Drysdale man with pancreatic cancer before his sudden death.

Leonard Sleight’s wife, Jacqueline, and their three adult children, have launched legal action against the hospital, saying their lives have been “turned upside down”.

According to a writ filed with the Supreme Court of Victoria, Mr Sleight presented to Geelong hospital with episodes of pancreatitis on April 10, 2013; August 18, 2015 and February 13, 2016.

“During each admission he underwent imaging which did not identify the cause of the pancreatitis, was managed conservatively and discharged home,” the writ states.

It’s alleged he presented to Geelong hospital again on July 1, 2016 with jaundice, nausea, abdominal pain and lethargy.

“The impression was undiagnosed pancreatic cancer and he was discharged home with the plan for outpatient investigations,” the writ states.

It’s alleged Mr Sleight, a former teacher, presented to Melbourne’s Box Hill Hospital on July 3, 2016 with worsening jaundice, nausea, abdominal pain and lethargy.

According to the writ, he underwent a CT scan, which was suggestive of a potential pancreas tumour, before having a Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (“ERCP”), during which the pancreatic duct was inadvertently cannulated and a stent was placed.

It’s alleged he developed a blocked stent, had a second ERCP, but - due to his deteriorating condition - died on July 9 after experiencing ascending cholangitis, septic shock and multi-organ dysfunction.

Eastern Health, which operates Box Hill Hospital, is listed as the second defendant on the writ.

Mr Sleight was 64 at the time of his death.

Mrs Sleight, and members of her family, allege Barwon Health’s care, treatment and management of Mr Sleight was negligent.

The family is seeking damages, interest and costs.

Through her lawyer, Mrs Sleight described her husband as a “tall, strong man with a gregarious character” who loved his children and enjoyed his life.

Slater and Gordon associate in medical law Rachael Ritchie, acting for Mrs Sleight, said the family was devastated by Mr Sleight’s death.

“It has impacted them greatly and completely turned their lives upside down,” she said.

“They keep expecting him to come home or to be able to contact him. The space that he filled is now very vacant, there’s a big hole in their lives where he used to be.

“They did lots of things together and he was a big character, so it has made things quite lonely.”

Ms Ritchie said Mr Sleight’s death was “a big mystery”.

“Leonard went to the emergency department at Geelong hospital several times in the years leading up to his death, unwell and looking for answers.

“We believe that Leonard likely had pancreatic cancer which should have been diagnosed and treated at these earlier attendances, preventing the complications leading to his death in 2016.”

Barwon Health said it was not aware of the writ and could not comment.

Originally published as Jacqueline Sleight sues Barwon Health over Leonard Sleight’s death