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Doctor to pay for care of meningitis patient
A doctor in Wiltshire has agreed to pay substantial costs towards the care of a young patient who has lost both her legs to a form of meningitis.
It was back in 2003, when two year old Lydia Cross fell ill and her mother called Dr John Harrison's Malmesbury surgery to be told that they couldn't have a home visit because it was against surgery policy.
The family argue that if the doctor had visited when they called, septicaemia could have been successfully treated.
Dr Harrison did ring Mrs Cross to inform her that he thought only had a virus, but after the sickness persisted was given an emergency appointment with her GP, six hours later.
On Thursday 22nd November, a High Court judge approved a settlement that will involve Dr Harrison paying 85% of 's care costs. It is estimated that each new set of legs for will cost £10,000.
Dr Harrison has apologised to the Cross family and added although he felt at the time he did the best he could for Lydia, he later realised that he could have done more for her.
For any advice on clinical and medical negligence please feel free to contact Jane Couch on 01626 202404 or lawyer@wbw.co.uk.