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Meningitis patient to get £3.2m Meningitis patient to get £3.2m
(10 minutes later)
The family of a man left severely brain damaged by a hospital trust's failure to diagnose meningitis promptly have been awarded £3.2m for his future care.The family of a man left severely brain damaged by a hospital trust's failure to diagnose meningitis promptly have been awarded £3.2m for his future care.
Mark Thomas, of Walsall, in the West Midlands, developed an ear infection, which led to the meningitis in 2002.Mark Thomas, of Walsall, in the West Midlands, developed an ear infection, which led to the meningitis in 2002.
His parents took him for blood tests at Walsall Manor Hospital but the results were not reviewed for five days.His parents took him for blood tests at Walsall Manor Hospital but the results were not reviewed for five days.
Without the delay, Mr Thomas, 20, would not have been left brain damaged, Birmingham High Court was told earlier.Without the delay, Mr Thomas, 20, would not have been left brain damaged, Birmingham High Court was told earlier.
Trust fundTrust fund
Walsall NHS Hospitals Trust admitted liability for the failings in his care, which left Mr Thomas with severe problems with his short-term memory.Walsall NHS Hospitals Trust admitted liability for the failings in his care, which left Mr Thomas with severe problems with his short-term memory.
His mother Elaine Thomas said: "It is so upsetting to think that all the plans and ambitions he had as a young lad will now never be realised."His mother Elaine Thomas said: "It is so upsetting to think that all the plans and ambitions he had as a young lad will now never be realised."
Mr Thomas cannot be left alone in the house because he would be a danger to himself, his father David added.Mr Thomas cannot be left alone in the house because he would be a danger to himself, his father David added.
The family's solicitor, Tim Deeming, of Irwin Mitchell law firm, said: "Independent medical experts have told us that had the results of the blood test been reviewed and acted upon promptly, Mark would have been given appropriate antibiotic treatment and he would not have suffered brain damage."The family's solicitor, Tim Deeming, of Irwin Mitchell law firm, said: "Independent medical experts have told us that had the results of the blood test been reviewed and acted upon promptly, Mark would have been given appropriate antibiotic treatment and he would not have suffered brain damage."
The money will be put in a trust fund for Mr Thomas's future care.The money will be put in a trust fund for Mr Thomas's future care.
Sent homeSent home
Walsall Manor Hospital Trust's chief executive Sue James said Mr Thomas had attended the trust's paediatric assessment unit in February 2002.Walsall Manor Hospital Trust's chief executive Sue James said Mr Thomas had attended the trust's paediatric assessment unit in February 2002.
She said the trust had sent him home and did not recall him when his test results became available.She said the trust had sent him home and did not recall him when his test results became available.
He was later diagnosed with pneumococcal meningitis when he returned to hospital, but had already suffered neurological injury by this point, she added. He was later diagnosed with the bacterial strain of the infection, pneumococcal meningitis, when he returned to hospital, but had already suffered neurological injury by this point, she added.
Liability proceedings were issued against the trust in October 2006, and it admitted full liability in January 2007.Liability proceedings were issued against the trust in October 2006, and it admitted full liability in January 2007.
The trust chief executive said: "We wish to apologise again to Mark and deeply regret the delay in diagnosing his condition. We would like to convey our best wishes for the future to Mark and his family."The trust chief executive said: "We wish to apologise again to Mark and deeply regret the delay in diagnosing his condition. We would like to convey our best wishes for the future to Mark and his family."