Pensioner in pressure sore hell wins millions in compensation from Staffordshire hospitals
A pensioner left paralysed by an extremely rare spinal infection whose suffering was made worse by pressure sores she developed while in Staffordshire hospitals has won millions of pounds in compensation from the NHS.
Christine Reaney was 61 and still enjoying an active life, including regularly walking her dog on the common near her Burntwood home, before developing myelitis, a very unusual inflammation of the spinal cord, in 2008. The condition left her paralysed from the chest downwards and doctors could not be blamed for that, Mr Justice Foskett told London's High Court.
However, during extended stays at North Staffordshire Royal Infirmary, Cannock Chase Hospital and Stafford Hospital, she developed a number of deep pressure sores. She has now secured an expected payout of between £2 million and £3 million.
The sores were so severe that they infected her bone marrow, shortened her leg muscle tissues and resulted in a hip dislocation.
Mrs Reaney, of Burntwood, sued Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust and University Hospital of North Staffordshire NHS Trust.
The NHS admitted liability for the failures.
Her barrister, Caroline Hallissey, told the court that the pensioner was admitted to the hospitals several times between December 2008 and October 2009.
Signs of pressure sores were first spotted in January 2009, three weeks after her first admission.
However staff failed to take appropriate measures to stop the sores developing into something far more serious, she added.
Charles Feeney, representing the trusts, told the judge that liability in the case was admitted, adding: "This is a case of admitted and significant breach of duty."
The NHS however, disputed the amount of Mrs Reaney damages payout.
Ruling on the dispute, Mr Justice Foskett said she was expected to live almost into her 80s and would need years of round-the-clock care, as well as a larger home.
Although he acknowledged that her myelitis would have left her paralysed in any event, he said the sores had made her plight much worse.
The amount of compensation due to Mrs Reaney has yet to be finally calculated; however, lawyers said outside court that her award would come to between £2 and £3 million which will go towards paying for her future care and accommodation needs.
Maggie Oldham, chief executive at Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust:"We are very sorry for the shortcomings in care provided to Mrs Reaney in 2009 and apologise unreservedly for the pain and distress caused to her."
