Cerebral palsy awards...and NHS funds.

Media  portrayal of the financial plight of the NHS, and of cases where millions are awarded to victims of clinical negligence, can raise concern amongst the public. Those who rely upon the NHS for all aspects of medical care from cradle to grave may feel concerned that resources required for the benefit of many, are being unfairly diverted to the few. This concern is valid and reasonable although our work in representing victims of clinical negligence highlights the reality of medical errors and their impact upon individuals and families.

Parents of children who have been injured at birth, and have developed a condition such as cerebral palsy as a consequence, have the option to bring a claim against the Trust responsible, if that care provided was negligent.

Looking after children with cerebral palsy is not easy. 24 hour care is often required, and this often falls to the parents of the child, and their extended family. The parents may need to give up work or move house to one more suited to their child’s needs, which clearly places a considerable financial strain on the family.

As the child grows, it is often the case that care is needed from two adults at a time, as lifting and mobilising them becomes physically more difficult.

Where these additional strains and struggles have been placed on a family through the negligent acts of those they trusted to provide them with medical care, it is quite right that they have the opportunity to bring a claim to help ease the financial burden and make their lives just a little bit easier.

For parents who bring successful claims on behalf of their children, the award can make life manageable. Many do not want to see the NHS deprived of funds, on the contrary, they want to see healthcare standards improve so as to prevent injury to others. Understandably, their priority has to be safeguarding the future of their child...and where the child has complex lifelong needs, the cost of meeting those needs will be considerable.