AN 11-year-old girl who suffered brain injuries at birth because of failures by a Suffolk hospital will find out todayhow much compensation she will receive.

Anthony Bond

AN 11-year-old girl who suffered brain injuries at birth because of failures by a Suffolk hospital will find out todayhow much compensation she will receive.

Ipswich Hospital has previously admitted clinical negligence in the case of Holly Goodwyn, who was born in January 1997. It was claimed she was not delivered urgently enough, despite obvious signs of distress.

The delay left her with brain injuries and at an early age the Ipswich girl was diagnosed with athetoid cerebral palsy. She is severely disabled, requiring a wheelchair, and also suffers from epilepsy.

Lawyers acting for Holly and Ipswich Hospital had been unable to agree a compensation figure.

The case was due to go before a court todaybut both sides came to an agreement yesterday. There will be a settlement hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice in London this afternoon.

Holly's lawyer Sarah Coles said: “Holly finds it difficult to speak clearly and uses an electronic communication aid similar to that used by Stephen Hawkin.

“She also needs 24 hour care, which is currently being provided at home by her parents and by paid carers who have been employed since the hospital's admission of negligence was made, as well as by learning support assistants while she is at school.

“Holly is fun-loving with a great sense of humour and an infectious laugh. All she really wants to do is to be able to join in with her friends and family. To do this she will require constant help, care and supervision for the rest of her life.

“Holly's parents live with the nightmare of her birth on a daily basis. The future they had hoped for her will never be realised. They have gladly made many sacrifices to give Holly as normal a life as possible, but have come to realise that without help this was never going to be enough.”

Lynne Goodwyn, Holly's mum, said: “Whilst we were reluctant to take legal action in this matter, we felt that the extent of the help Holly requires would not be available otherwise.

“We also hoped that lessons would be learned from Holly's birth and that the hospital would look at its practices so that the same errors would not be allowed to happen again. If we can prevent another family being affected like ours then at least something positive would have come from Holly's plight.”

Jan Rowsell, spokeswoman for Ipswich Hospital, said: “We have always recognised that this is a tragic case and, as is our policy, we will make further comment when the judgement is made.”