October 29th, 2009
A girl who went blind after doctors failed to spot a brain tumour has been awarded £1.5 million in compensation.
Tatum Rock, now 16, went into King George Hospital in Essex after banging her head in a fall in 1999.
She had X-rays, but was sent home when the radiologist missed a large brain tumour. Although the condition came to light four months later and she had corrective surgery, it was too late to save her sight.
An investigation revealed that had the X-ray been read properly, the victim would have had surgery immediately and her sight would most likely have been saved.
Tatum took legal action against Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust, which has now admitted liability for the misdiagnosis and agreed to the payout.
Hospital bosses apologised for the failings and wished Tatum well for her future at university.
Research from Imperial College London recently revealed that as many as one in six NHS patients are being misdiagnosed by either GPs or hospital staff.
Tags: 5 Million, 5m, Barking Havering And Redbridge, Brain Tumour, Corrective Surgery, Doctors, Essex, Four Months, Gps, Havering, Hospital Staff, Hospitals Nhs Trust, Imperial College London, Misdiagnosis, Nhs Patients, Radiologist, University Hospitals Nhs Trust, X Ray, X Rays
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January 19th, 2009
A woman has been awarded compensation after a seven-year legal battle with an NHS hospital.
Patricia Richards, 61, went to Rochdale Infirmary in September 2001 for a routine operation, the Manchester Evening News reports.
However, her vital signs were not properly monitored while she was under anaesthetic and she suffered brain damage as a result of oxygen deprivation.
Ms Richards has since needed constant care from her husband Robert due to personality changes and difficulties doing everyday tasks.
Pennine Acute NHS Trust has now admitted that its doctors were negligent and the victim will be paid £750,000, plus annual payments of £100,000.
Mr Richards said: "The settlement is a great relief, but no amount of money can compensate for the damage done to Pat."
Clinical negligence occurs when a professional in the health service provides care that is deemed to be below standard and this causes physical injury, death or distress.
Compensation may be claimed as a result, as was the case here.
Tags: 5m, Amount Of Money, Anaesthetic, Blunder, Brain Damage, Clinical Negligence, Constant Care, Everyday Tasks, Health Service, Injury Death, Manchester Evening News, Nhs Hospital, Nhs Trust, Oxygen Deprivation, Patricia Richards, Personality Changes, Rochdale Infirmary, Routine Operation, Vital Signs
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