Medical Negligence Cost ₤3.45m

A woman who was admitted to hospital for an ordinary gallstone treatment has been granted ₤3.45m as recompense, after a list of medical errors tore her life apart.

In January 2001, Grannia East, 44, was operated at the Royal Hospital Haslar, a former Royal Navy hospital in Hampshire. It would seem it was a routine treatment; nevertheless, complications- having been caused as a result a massive loss of blood and acute pancreatitis- appeared. After the failed operation, Mrs. East was transferred to another hospital where it was revealed the woman was suffering a grave stomach bleed and had to go through further surgery. The consequences turned out to be even more unpleasant: Mrs. East experienced a cardiac arrest and received serious brain damage. Henceforth, she is wheel chaired, has some memory problems and requires twenty-four-hour aid.
      
Mrs. East brought forward a claim against the Ministry of Defence as the Royal Hospital Haslar was under its direction, but the former denied any liability. In 2007, the High Court rendered a decision that the medical care the woman received had been careless. However, the Ministry filed an appeal against the decision, saying that negligent medical treatment was not the reason for woman’s injuries. In July 2008, the Court of Appeal threw out the appeal on the basis of Mrs. East’s fault.

A ₤3.45m compensation for damages has now been approved that will help Mrs. East’s family to provide her with the proper care. Mrs. East’s husband said it was really a hard fight for them to get Grannia’s compensation, but now they would be able to give her all the necessary care and meet her complex accommodation and therapeutic needs.