A TEENAGE twin, brain damaged after being starved of oxygen during her birth at Leighton Hospital, has won £1.7million damages in London's High Court.

South Cheshire Health Authority will pick up the tab after a lengthy legal battle.

Amanda Ludow is 13, but the authority only admitted negligence in February this year.

The court heard how the youngster, now living in Gosport, Hampshire, was seriously disabled after suffering hypoxia, leaving her in need of constant care for life.

Amanda and her twin sister Katie were born in September, 1985. Katie was the younger by eight minutes and came through the birth unscathed.

Amanda is cared for by her mother and step-father, Joanna and Stephen Fields and stays with her father, David Ludlow, at weekends.

Judge Mr Justice Bell paid glowing tribute to the devoted care lavished on Amanda by all three.

The court heard that the youngster suffered from Dyskenetic cerebral palsy. Although not as badly off as some cerebral palsy vicitms she had grave problems with mobility, some hearing loss and severe learning difficulties.

"She has no sense of danger and has to be supervised 24-hours-a-day. Her mother and step-father are in the process of buying a new home better suited to her needs," said the family's counsel Mr Adrian Whitfield QC.

Mr Stephen Miller, for the Health Authority, said that the authority accepted there had been lack of care for which they expressed their sincere apologies.

After the hearing, Amanda's father said the settlement meant that the youngster could now receive the high level of care she would need for the rest of her life.

"We are relieved that this lengthy legal process is over. However, we are concerned that some of the medical procedures appear to have been inadequate and we will be seeking assurances that these procedures have been improved, both locally and nationally," he said.

The birth trauma occured well before the formation in 1991 of the Trust that is now responsible for Leighton.

Chief Executive, Simon Yates, said that he was unable to comment on the cause or subsequent action taken over medical procedures as he had no knowledge of the case.

Liability rested with the Health Authority which managed the hospital at the time.

"But the Trust is very pleased for Amanda that this matter has reached a conclusion. We hope the payment will help her achieve the best quality of life possible," he added.

THE length of time it has taken the Health Authority to admit negligence is to be queried by watchdog organisation the Crewe Community Health Council.

Chairman Mr Ron Stokes said "It seems to have taken a tremendously long time to sort out and I intend to ask questions about it."

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