Seven-figure sum for six-year-old

A six-year-old girl has been awarded a seven-figure compensation payout after complications during her birth at a Black Country hospital left her severely disabled.

Kaysie-Jane Bland was left with permanent brain damage after being allegedly starved of oxygen at Wordsley Hospital, near Stourbridge.

She has cerebral palsy and cannot walk, talk or sit by herself. Her plight has touched the hearts of community groups in the borough who have held many fundraising events over the years in her honour.

Her mother, Jane Robinson, aged 34, of Netherton, Dudley, said today: "It has been a long, drawn-out, stressful six years and although I am glad we reached an earlier outcome than expected, it will never cure Kaysie-Jane of her disabilities or give her back the life she should have had.

"However, it will hopefully be possible to give her the best of everything - she deserves no less - she is an amazing little girl.

"It wouldn't have been possible without all the support and guidance from my family, the solicitor, the barrister and experts involved, who have helped me and Kaysie-Jane through this."

Ms Bland sued the hospital's managers - the Dudley Group of Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust - alleging clinical negligence in failing to accelerate delivery despite signs of foetal distress during the latter stages of labour.

The trust's barrister, Ben Browne QC, agreed to the settlement, but emphasised that it had been reached without any admission of liability. Details of the payout have been kept confidential

Mr Browne said the trust wished to "express its regret at the tragedy which befell Kaysie and her family".

"We also wish to pay tribute to her mother for all she has done for Kaysie — and to the rest of her family."

Chief executive Paula Clark said: "The Dudley Group of Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust would like to wish Kaysie-Jane and her caring family all the very best for the future and we are pleased that financial settlement has been approved by the Court."