Family claim for £300k from NHS

A 21-year-old woman who suffered catastrophic meningitis as a child is set to receive compensation from the NHS.

Eastern and Coastal Kent Primary Care Trust has admitted breach of duty when treating Jade Champion in 1992 and 1993, according to a writ issued in London’s High Court.

Now, through her mother, Laura Champion, who lives in Deal, Jade is seeking compensation of more than £300,000 from the trust.

Staff at William Harvey Hospital in Ashford failed to pass on test results showing an infection, and failed to warn her mother to watch carefully for symptoms of illness, it is alleged.

Jade, at five days old, became ill on January 1, 1993, and was taken to hospital the next day. The midwife who saw her did not tell the GP about the positive test results, the writ says.

Jade had a fit on January 3, and tests showed she had streptococcus pneumoniae meningitis, for which she was given antibiotics.

But the meningitis caused brain damage and deafness, and she suffered severe neurological and neuropsychological problems, including difficulties with cognition and behaviour, anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and suggestibility and vulnerability to being exploited.

She will need residential care and support all her life.