A BABY suffered catastrophic brain damage because he was not feeding properly after being sent home from hospital too early after his birth.

Tragic David Broughton ended up with a low-sugar level in his blood and, despite being rushed back into hospital, he is now blind, cannot walk, talk or use his hands, and suffers from frequent seizures. Today at the High Court in Manchester, David, who is now 17, sat in his wheelchair as his lawyers announced a £925,000 settlement of his case against the Salford Health Authority. The settlement figure was reached after lengthy negotiations on behalf of David, who sued the Health Authority through his devoted mother, Elsie. David, of Derwent Road, Farnworth, was born at Hope Hospital's maternity unit early one morning in July 1981.

He and his mother were sent home just 16 hours later before a proper feeding pattern had been established.

Now he needs 24-hour-a-day care and has been looked after by his mother. Approving the award, Judge Rhys Davies ordered that £130,000 could be paid out immediately to Mrs Broughton so she can buy a more suitable home for her son. "It is a very sad and anxious case," said the judge. "Clearly this unfortunate boy is quite unable to form any of the normal facets of life."

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