A general practitioner who orders blood tests and prescribes pain relief at a first presentation for leg pain, without ordering imaging or arranging follow-up, does not necessarily breach the duty of care where the presentation does not indicate urgency and the vast majority of musculoskeletal pain resolves on its own. The loss of a chance of a better medical outcome remains non-compensable in the ACT unless the better outcome is the probable result but for the negligence. The meaning of 'household' in s 100 of the Civil Law (Wrongs) Act 2002 (ACT) for domestic services damages was left open but the Court indicated it should extend to childcare for extended family members, particularly in Indigenous family contexts.
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