The HSE has apologized to the family of a girl (7) with cerebral palsy who was awarded €6.7 million in damages over the mismanagement of her birth by staff at South Tipperary General Hospital.
Katie Manton’s parents said the apology from South Tipperary General Hospital was “too little too late”.
The High Court today approved the settlement of €6.7 million after an apology was issued in court on behalf of the hospital’s manager, Grace Rothwell, which read “I wish to express our sincere and unreserved apology for the failings that caused the injuries to Katie Manton and the tragic outcome.”
“I would also like to take this opportunity to assure you that valuable lessons have been learned by the hospital and its staff.”
The court heard that the girl has cerebral palsy arising out of a lack of oxygen at birth which was caused by the inadequate management of her mother’s labour and an excessive delay in delivering the baby. Ms Manton claimed the defendants had failed to deliver her in a timely manner and had failed to ensure that an obstetrician was available to regularly review the labour and supervise delivery resulting in a lack of oxygen at birth.
Counsel for the family, Michael McGrath, stated that the family had been put to tremendous expense in the past seven years and had bought a site to build a home for their daughter.
The girl’s mother, Aoife Manton, said she was happy with the settlement and was glad it was over, while Mr Justice Kevin Cross approved the settlement and said it would be good for Katie.
He said her parents had brought Katie through the early years and they were the heroes. He hoped the settlement would make Katie’s life as good as it could possibly be.
Outside court, Aoife and Raymond Manton from Cashel in Co Tipperary said they had tried to do the best they could with limited means for the past seven years, however it had been a very difficult time for the entire family.
Ms Manton also said it was regrettable that even though the HSE admitted liability in the case “it was not until today that there has been a semblance of an apology or expression of regret.”