Blackpool Victoria Hospital pays out £15m as it failed to give antibiotics to mother and baby

It was one of a number of failings found during a High Court hearing into the care of the child - known as ABJ - and his mother in a case dating back to 2008

First published on 12 September, 2024

The family of a young boy who sustained complex injuries at birth will receive a £15m pay out from Blackpool's hospital trust.

Known as ABJ to protect his identity he was born at Blackpool Victoria Hospital in 2008.

His mother was admitted multiple times to the Vic while pregnant complaining of vomiting and bleeding.

A medical negligence process has found failings by the trust and a High Court judge ordered a £15m compensation care package to be paid to support the young boy.

What failings took place?

The boy's mother was admitted to hospital complaining of vomiting and bleeding.

On one occasion her lawyers say she underwent tests which indicated she had a possible infection, but was discharged and when attending the same day having gone into labour then no action was taken to respond to the findings of the tests.

She was then discharged with her newborn son without appropriate antibiotic treatment being administered.

ABJ was then readmitted to hospital two weeks later with severe symptoms including swelling and breathing difficulties.

He was diagnosed with Group A Streptococcal septicaemia, a type of bacterial infection, which led to a series of life-threatening conditions including meningitis.

The boy has undergone numerous surgeries and suffers from cognitive difficulties, mobility issues, and will require ongoing medical and educational support.

The settlement will fund his ongoing and future medical care such as surgeries and therapy, specialist educational assistance tailored to his needs, as well as equipment and modifications to support his mobility and independence.

What has the boy's mother said?

On the High Court's decision she said she was relieved’ to have secured a settlement that would allow her son to live ‘as normal a life as possible’ despite his injuries.

She added that whilst no amount would ever compensate the family for their ordeal, they were grateful to now have access to have the financial security that would allow them to meet ABJ’s needs for the rest of his life.

The case for clinical negligence was brought by Simpson Millar.

Kelly Withers from the firm said: "This settlement is a crucial step towards providing the necessary lifelong care and support for ABJ.

“The injuries he sustained due to the failure in medical care have had profound and lasting impact on his life and the lives of his family members, but this outcome means they are now able to focus on the future.

“This case also shines a light on the importance of the Government’s ongoing inquiry into traumatic childbirths, which calls for an overhaul of the UK's maternity and postnatal care system.

“It is vital that lessons learnt as a result of incidents such as this are shared across the NHS to prevent similar occurrences in the future.”

What did the trust say?

The Trust has issued an apology to the family.

They admitted during proceedings that both mother and baby should have been given antibiotics as well as the mother being made aware of the test results which were carried out.

Marie Forshaw, Acting Executive Director of Nursing, Midwifery, Allied Health Professionals and Quality at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals, said: “We are truly sorry that the care received by this young man and his family fell below the standard he was entitled to expect and for the long-term impact both he and his family have suffered as a result.”

More on Blackpool Vic

We are continuing to cover what's happening at the Vic in detail, including a recent 'never-event' which saw a woman sent home with a vaginal pack inside her, what the new chief exec has planned for the hospital, a job cuts drive beginning at the hospital, how staff failed to properly examine a pregnant woman before giving her a drug and whistleblower complaints surge at the hospital.