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Carrie Wright: Leeds hospital trust pay out over blunder Carrie Wright: Leeds hospital trust pay out over blunder
(about 9 hours later)
The mother of a nine-year-old girl, who died after suffering severe brain damage during a heart operation, has been given £430,000 in compensation. The mother of a nine-year-old girl who died after suffering severe brain damage during a heart operation has been given £430,000 in compensation.
Carrie Wright, from Hull, was cooled down for two hours during the operation - more than twice the recommended amount of time.Carrie Wright, from Hull, was cooled down for two hours during the operation - more than twice the recommended amount of time.
She was subsequently unable to walk or stand unaided and she died, aged 20.She was subsequently unable to walk or stand unaided and she died, aged 20.
Her surgeon, Dr Nihal Weerasena, was struck off in January following a General Medical Council investigation.Her surgeon, Dr Nihal Weerasena, was struck off in January following a General Medical Council investigation.
Live updates and more news from across YorkshireLive updates and more news from across Yorkshire
The inquiry was into seven other cases.The inquiry was into seven other cases.
Dr Weerasena was referred to the GMC in 2014 after Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust reviewed its paediatric care services.Dr Weerasena was referred to the GMC in 2014 after Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust reviewed its paediatric care services.
The previous year, children's heart operations at Leeds General Infirmary had been stopped for a fortnight on the orders of NHS England, amid concerns about the safety of the unit.The previous year, children's heart operations at Leeds General Infirmary had been stopped for a fortnight on the orders of NHS England, amid concerns about the safety of the unit.
Carrie's mother, Dawn Clayton, said: "Prior to the operation, Carrie was just like any other active nine-year old girl.Carrie's mother, Dawn Clayton, said: "Prior to the operation, Carrie was just like any other active nine-year old girl.
"She left me early on the day of the operation and came back from surgery that evening changed forever."She left me early on the day of the operation and came back from surgery that evening changed forever.
"Yet she was not deterred, she was determined to live her life. We were so proud of her.""Yet she was not deterred, she was determined to live her life. We were so proud of her."
Andrew Harrison, medical negligence lawyer at Hodge Jones and Allen, said surgical notes showed Carrie's body was cooled and put into circulatory arrest for 121 minutes.Andrew Harrison, medical negligence lawyer at Hodge Jones and Allen, said surgical notes showed Carrie's body was cooled and put into circulatory arrest for 121 minutes.
At that time, circulatory arrest of more than 45 minutes was avoided by hospitals because it was regarded as likely to result in brain injury.At that time, circulatory arrest of more than 45 minutes was avoided by hospitals because it was regarded as likely to result in brain injury.
Mr Harrison said none of the medical notes revealed why there was such a long period of circulatory arrest.Mr Harrison said none of the medical notes revealed why there was such a long period of circulatory arrest.
He said: "In the absence of any explanation in Dr Weerasena's notes, it can only be the case that he negligently failed to appreciate the risk of brain damage that the prolonged period of circulatory arrest could cause.He said: "In the absence of any explanation in Dr Weerasena's notes, it can only be the case that he negligently failed to appreciate the risk of brain damage that the prolonged period of circulatory arrest could cause.
"If he had appreciated that risk, he would have taken steps to avoid it and there were alternatives as it was not an emergency.""If he had appreciated that risk, he would have taken steps to avoid it and there were alternatives as it was not an emergency."
He said if circulatory arrest had been 45 minutes maximum it was "highly likely" that Carrie would not have been brain damaged and would be alive today."He said if circulatory arrest had been 45 minutes maximum it was "highly likely" that Carrie would not have been brain damaged and would be alive today."
Her mother has now received compensation from the NHS trust following a 10-year legal battle.Her mother has now received compensation from the NHS trust following a 10-year legal battle.
She said she received an apology from the hospital last year, 13 years after the operation.She said she received an apology from the hospital last year, 13 years after the operation.
"All the time we were adjusting to a new life with Carrie and fighting to make sure she received the right care, we were also in a long, hard battle with the hospital for them to admit liability," Ms Clayton said."All the time we were adjusting to a new life with Carrie and fighting to make sure she received the right care, we were also in a long, hard battle with the hospital for them to admit liability," Ms Clayton said.
"I have always felt that they wanted to sweep this matter under the carpet."I have always felt that they wanted to sweep this matter under the carpet.
"I can only wonder if there are other cases like Carrie's that have gone unreported and whether closer investigation by the hospital could have prevented these later cases from happening."I can only wonder if there are other cases like Carrie's that have gone unreported and whether closer investigation by the hospital could have prevented these later cases from happening.
"My heart goes out to all those who have also suffered at the hands of Dr Weerasena.""My heart goes out to all those who have also suffered at the hands of Dr Weerasena."
Dr Yvette Oade, Chief Medical Officer for Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said: "On behalf of the hospital I would like to express my sincere condolences to the family of Carrie, and deeply regret that we failed to provide the standard of care that she and her family were entitled to expect.Dr Yvette Oade, Chief Medical Officer for Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said: "On behalf of the hospital I would like to express my sincere condolences to the family of Carrie, and deeply regret that we failed to provide the standard of care that she and her family were entitled to expect.
"I welcome the fact that this settlement has now been agreed with the NHS Litigation Authority.""I welcome the fact that this settlement has now been agreed with the NHS Litigation Authority."