Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust has been forced to shell out millions after a little boy was ‘the victim of negligence’ and left needing 24-hour-care after a series of failings in hospital.

The trust paid out £8.5 million in an out-of-court settlement to the family of a youngster disabled for life.

Now eight-years-old, the child - who cannot be named for legal reasons - was born healthy on December 1, 2007, at the Princess Royal University Hospital, in Farnborough.

Aged just five days old, he was taken to A&E at Lewisham Hospital, in the High Street, where he needed urgent treatment for jaundice.

But there was a catalogue of delays which meant hours passed without the boy receiving the correct treatment, and when he finally was treated the equipment was not used properly.

It was also noted that the youngster had been suffering from jaundice since birth, which was not picked up on by medical staff.

Expert evidence proved if the child had received treatment quickly and competently, he would have made a full recovery and not been left disabled.

He now faces a lifetime of round-the-clock care, therapy and rehabilitation, as well as having learning difficulties and trouble eating and sleeping.

The boy’s mother said: “The standard of care we received was nothing short of abysmal and well below the standard we would expect from a hospital of that size and calibre. We feel tremendously let down.

MORE TOP STORIES

"Nothing can turn back the clock for us but we will now be able to look forward and help him live an enriching life.

"Despite his disability, he enjoys stories and watching television and always makes people smile.

"He has endured much over the past eight years and he will continue to face many challenges. However he is a happy and beautiful child and my family and I will do our very best to ensure that his needs are met."

Despite the trust admitting liability, it disputed the level of damages, but settled the case one day before it was due to go to trial.

Lawyer Jane Weakley, representing the family, said: “His parents were completely unaware that he was the victim of negligence at Lewisham Hospital and it was not until a report was released that they realised the serious errors that had been made there.

"They were simply devastated when they found out that his condition could easily have been avoided if he had received appropriate and standard care.

"The mistakes in his care at the hospital were so serious that a doctor providing expert medical evidence on the case apologised to the family on behalf of his profession for what had happened to him."

A spokesman for the Trust said: "A full admission of liability had been provided in the claim previously and an unreserved apology made to the family.  

"The Trust deeply regrets the unacceptable standard of care.

“It is very much hoped by the Trust that this settlement will make life easier for [the boy] and his family."

This is the second such case against the trust, which previously paid out £8 million to another family whose son was left with severe brain damage.