A MUM spoke of "justice" today after her son received £925,000 compensation for a hospital blunder which left him with brain damage. Elsie Broughton, of Farnworth, said she was "satisfied" with the settlement from Salford Health Authority for failures at Hope Hospital's maternity unit 17 years ago which left her son David blind and unable to walk, talk, or use his hands. As reported in later editions of yesterday's BEN, baby David was sent home too early by maternity medics before a feeding pattern had been established -- leaving the tot with dangerously low blood sugar levels.
David, now 17, was later rushed back into intensive care, but the problem left him with cerebral palsy and brain damage so severe that doctors say he will be dead by the age of 26.
Today mum Mrs Broughton, who has provided round-the-clock care for her disabled son, who is also epileptic and has severe spinal problems, said the settlement could never bring back her son's health, but would provide comfort for the rest of his life. She said: "I'm just pleased everything has been sorted out for David's sake. I believe justice has been done and we can both now face the future."
Divorcee Mrs Broughton, of Derwent Road, Highfield, Farnworth, first started her battle for compensation 11 years ago, but the process was delayed by complex legal matters as independent professional experts assessed the case.
She said: "I had to do something because one minute I had given birth to a normal, healthy boy and the next thing I knew his life had been ruined. I was distraught."
The award, approved by a High Court judge in Manchester yesterday, will allow Mrs Broughton to move from her home in Farnworth to a large bungalow in Smithills, Bolton, which will be specially adapted to meet David's needs.
The mum-of-three also plans to buy a specialist van so David, a pupil at Firwood Special School, Bolton, can travel in comfort in his wheelchair.
Mrs Broughton's best pal Liz Evans, 38, added: "Elsie's a mum in a million who has looked after her lad for so long without asking for any help. She deserves every penny."
In a short statement yesterday, Salford Health Authority said it was "pleased" that a settlement had been reached.
Chief executive Dr Ian Greatorex added: "The authority wishes the young man and his family well in the future."
Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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