Wrexham family to receive payout after meningitis error by hospital

The parents of a six-year-old girl from Wrexham who was left severely brain damaged due to medical negligence have won their claim against a health board.

Kate Pierce was nine months old when she developed pneumococcal meningitis, but was wrongly diagnosed.

Betsi Cadwalader University Health Board (BCUHB) has now accepted 75% responsibility for the claim, approved by a judge at Mold County Court.

The family's solicitor believes the compensation will be "seven figures".

Kate was nine months old in 2006 when she developed a life-threatening infection which was wrongly diagnosed as viral tonsillitis when she was taken to Wrexham Maelor Hospital.

A junior doctor told the family she was well enough to go home.

When her parents asked for a second opinion the junior doctor claimed he had sought the advice of a more senior doctor, when he had not.

They took Kate home, but when her condition deteriorated she went back to hospital and was correctly diagnosed with meningitis.

She was transferred to Alder Hey children's hospital in Liverpool, but had suffered severe brain damage, and now needs 24-hour care.

She is registered deaf and blind, has chronic lung disease and severe epilepsy, among other conditions.

Parents Mark and Diane Pierce heard a judge at Mold County Court accept a compromise agreement reached between their legal team and BCUHB.

A hearing to decide the damages is yet to be held, but their solicitor said after the hearing it would be in "seven figures".

Mr Pierce says he wants to know what lessons have been learned

Legal costs are estimated at £300,000.

After the hearing Mr Pierce, who serves with North Wales Police, said: "Hopefully this case is a step forward although it will be months before we know the final settlement.

"Kate's life expectancy has been severely reduced and we have had to spend six years of that precious time with her battling with the [health] board."

However, he added: "We have to be positive as a family.

"We still go out and do loads of stuff together and we have loads of friends.

"Basically, you have two choices, either get on with your life or let it get the better of you."

BCUHB said aspects of the care provided by the hospital were not of an acceptable standard and lessons have been learned.

It said it had apologised to the family, but Mark Pierce said that was not the case, adding that he wants to know what lessons have been learned.