Missed appendicitis a timebomb. Greater number of physicians are reported to the Health Services Disciplinary Board today than 50 years ago

In its early stages appendicitis often manifests itself by uncharacteristic symptoms, which may result in delayed diagnosis and treatment. A greater number of physicians are reported to the Health Services Disciplinary Board (HSDB) for missed appendicitis today than formerly, and disciplinary measures are more severe. This is shown by a unique breakdown of reported cases for three periods between 1945 and 1997.