Two NHS trusts have paid millions of pounds damages for cases of medical negligence causing cerebral palsy. Data revealed by law firm Lime Solicitors shows East Sussex Healthcare Trust and University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust paid £98 million in 31 cerebral palsy clinical negligence claims between 2012/13 and 2022/23. The data comes from a freedom of information request submitted to NHS Resolution, a body of the Department of Health and Social Care that provides advice to the NHS on disputes.
Figures have also shown that nationally, one in 14 cerebral palsy cases could have been avoided over the past 11 years. Trusts across the country have paid out a total of £3.5 billion in damages.
Melanie Minter, medical negligence partner at Lime Solicitors, said: “One of the main causes of cerebral palsy is hypoxic brain injury during childbirth which is where a baby’s brain gets starved of oxygen. “Sometimes, this cannot be prevented or it is impossible to work out what caused the child’s injuries. “However, negligent mistakes by healthcare professionals can lead to a child sustaining a hypoxic brain injury.
“Errors can include delayed delivery, birth injuries, failing to respond to the umbilical cord being wrapped around a baby’s neck and missing signs of foetal distress such as meconium. “Negligent injuries resulting in cerebral palsy should not take place and we know the lessons that should have been learned but unfortunately time and time again the sam.
