Oldham mother files £1m High Court claim over son's brain injury after hospital birth

Thursday, 15 May 2025 11:45

By David Murphy

An Oldham mother has launched a High Court compensation claim worth more than £1 million against the NHS, alleging that medical errors at Royal Oldham Hospital left her son with permanent brain damage.

Rachael Spence, who lives in Shaw, is seeking damages on behalf of her young son, who was born prematurely at 32 weeks at the hospital, which is run by the Northern Care Alliance (NCA) NHS Foundation Trust.

According to court documents now made public, her son was healthy at birth but required specialist care in the neonatal intensive care unit due to his early delivery. It is alleged that failures in his postnatal care resulted in a brain injury.

The claim states that the child now suffers from global developmental delay and ongoing neurodevelopmental issues that are expected to persist for life. While he currently attends school, the full extent of his difficulties is not yet known and may only become clearer by the time he reaches the age of 10 or 11.

The NCA has admitted liability for failings in care shortly after birth, but it has not accepted the extent of the injury claimed.

Medical records show that the baby was treated for respiratory distress, placed on a ventilator, and given a surfactant treatment via a breathing tube. A chest drain was later fitted to treat collapsed lungs. However, part of the claim centres on allegations that a chest drain was also attempted at a time when there was no collapse, contrary to clinical need and established guidelines.

Ms Spence is accusing the trust of negligence, citing a failure to follow national protocols and causing avoidable harm.

In a statement, Jonathan Moise, medical director at The Royal Oldham Hospital, said:
“We are very sorry that the care provided to Ms Spence and her son did not meet the high standards that we strive for at the NCA. As this is an ongoing claim, we are unable to comment further at this stage.”