NHS agrees to pay £50,000 for failed sterilisations

A GYNAECOLOGIST made errors during sterilisation procedures on two women, resulting in both later becoming pregnant.

Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust agreed a settlement of up to £25,000 each after Nicholas Myerson was sued by both patients and admitted liability.

Mr Myerson, a BUPA registered consultant and clinical lead for Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Bradford Royal Infirmary, who also practised privately at the Yorkshire Clinic in Bingley, West Yorks, failed to carry out the procedures correctly. Sterilisation involves sealing Fallopian tubes with clips, preventing fertilisation of eggs.

In both cases, two years apart, the clips were wrongly placed. Their legal cases were settled between solicitors, the Bradford trust and the NHS Commissioning Board.

Caroline Murgatroyd, of Hudgell Solicitors, said such errors could cause heartache for women who had made conscious decisions not to have more, or sometimes any, children.

“The impact of a failed sterilisation procedure can be very significant not only on the patient but also their family,” she said. In cases in which babies were born as a result of failed sterilisation, damages could be awarded of up to £25,000, she added.

A spokesman from the Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: “We are deeply sorry for the distress these patients experienced as a result of the care they received, and we are pleased for them that a settlement has been agreed.” Mr Myerson declined to comment when contacted by The Daily Telegraph.