HALTON and Warrington Hospitals have been ordered to pay £2.5 million in compensation to a girl who was left severely brain damaged as a new-born baby due to delays in her treatment.

The 12-year-old girl, described as ‘charismatic, sociable and beautiful’ by her parents, was born healthy at the hospital but fell ill during her first few days of life.

Barrister Christopher Johnston, representing the family, told the High Court in London that if the girl’s condition been diagnosed and treated swiftly she would have made a complete recovery with no lasting effects.

But delays in her treatment caused the girl severe brain damage, leaving her with extensive care needs.

Now Justice James Goss has ruled that Warrington and Halton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust must pay her £2.5m in compensation.

He told the girl’s family: “It is but a small measure of comfort I know, but I am sure it will be something you can take into account and continue with your lives without the added anxiety.

“Nothing the law can do can undo what has taken place as you well know, and I am sure not a day has gone by when that hasn’t crossed your minds.

“Your daughter is clearly a remarkable child and that in a sense is a blessing for you.

“It is also plain to see that the love and affection you have for her is remarkable.”

Warrington Hospital was also ordered to make annual payments of £260,000 to the girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, rising to £312,000 per year after her 19th birthday.

The trust’s barrister Margaret Bowron told the High Court on Friday, March 31, that the hospital has apologised to the family and hoped that the financial settlement would bring them ‘peace of mind’.

She said: “It is plain to see that the enormous, loving and unstinting care by her mother, father and the rest of the family has made a huge difference to her.

“She is plainly a much-loved and valued member of the family and they are lucky to have her, as she is lucky to have them.

“We extend our very best wishes for the future.”

Warrington Hospital said it had learned lessons from the case and reiterated its apology to the girl and her family.

A trust spokesman said: “The trust has previously undertaken detailed investigations in relation to the treatment received by the claimant at Warrington Hospital in 2004, including obtaining independent medical expert evidence.

“As a result of this, the trust’s chief executive provided a letter of apology in 2014 to the claimant’s parents for the delay in diagnosis.

“The trust has and will continue to use this case to ensure that lessons are learned to avoid any repeat in the future.

“Since that date, the parties have been investigating the claimant’s condition and prognosis and needs to be able to quantify the amount of damages to be paid as a result of the serious condition suffered.

“The trust would like to take this opportunity to reiterate the apology previously made to the family and are pleased that the final settlement of the claim has been approved by the court to enable the care and other support that the claimant requires to be put into place.”