Mother awarded £2m for birth negligence

A woman has been awarded £2m in compensation for negligent mistakes during childbirth which left her brain damaged and paralysed.

Joyce Roberts was pregnant with her third child when she was admitted to St Asaph's HM Stanley Hospital, north Wales, in 1987 suffering from pre-eclampsia - a condition causing high blood pressure and damage to blood vessels.

The aim of this award to ensure there was enough for Mrs.Roberts to fulfil her burning desire to return to her own home and be re-united properly with the family she adores.

Solicitor Phillip Watters

A hearing in Preston on Friday was told that doctors from the former Clwyd Health Authority failed to identify the symptoms of what is one of the leading causes of death in pregnancy and delayed performing an emergency caesarean.

As a result, Mrs Roberts, 57, suffered two eclamptic fits which caused such severe injuries that she is still permanently in a wheelchair.

Mrs Roberts was eventually discharged from hospital in 1990 but she was unable to return home to her family.

For the last 12 years, she has been forced to live in the Leonard Cheshire Home in Colwyn Bay, where she receives constant specialist care.

The family has enlisted the help of Llandudno solicitors JW Hughes &Co.

Pre-eclampsia facts

Occurs only in pregnancy or just after birth

Can affect mother and baby

Affects around 10%

Causes swelling

Leads to high blood pressure

Can be detected by large amounts of protein in urine

Can lead to circulation problems

Can stop blood reaching the placenta

Can lead to eclampsia, where a seizure occurs

Treatment is the baby's delivery at the appropriate time

Partner, Alun Thomas, said that the Roberts had lodged their claim some time after the incident and the health authority had initially denied responsibility.

It is hoped the compensation will allow Mrs Roberts to return home to live with her family.

Her husband, Hugh, spoke on Friday of the years of suffering the negligence has meant for his family.

"What should have been a joyous family event has turned into a living nightmare, made worse by having to fight all the way for compensation," he said.

"Hopefully, we shall now be able to close this sad chapter of our lives and we are looking positively to the future."

'Titanic struggle'

When the family first lodged their claim the health authority denied responsibility.

Solicitor, Alun Thomas said: "After a titanic struggle we secured an admission of liability from the authority in 1996.

"Mrs Roberts' daughter Katie is now 14 years old and has had to be brought up by her elder sister.

"Mr and Mrs Roberts have been deprived of any form of normal family life for 15 years.

"The aim of this award to ensure there was enough for Mrs Roberts to fulfil her burning desire to return to her own home and be re-united properly with the family she adores."

Apology issued

On Friday the trust released a statement apologising to the family and said it had changed its pregnancy care.

A statement read: "We wish to offer our sincerest apologies to Mrs Roberts and her family for the distress and suffering as a result of the incident at HM Stanley Hospital in October 1987.

"In 1993 all obstetric and ante-natal care transferred from HM Stanley Hospital to Glan Clwyd Hospital.

"This has ensured that mothers and their babies are close to diagnostic and intensive care support."