Mother awarded damages for cerebral palsy child but apology too little too late

A mother of a 7-year-old girl with cerebral palsy has said that the apology from the hospital has come "too little too late".   Katie Manton was awarded €6.7 million in damages today

The HSE has apologised to the family of a young girl with cerebral palsy who was awarded €6.7 million in damages today.

Seven-year-old Katie Manton has cerebral palsy arising out of a lack of oxygen at birth, which was caused by inadequate management of her mother’s labour and an excessive delay in delivering the baby.

The girl’s mother, Aoife Manton, said she was happy with the settlement and was glad it was over, but described today’s apology from South Tipperary General Hospital as “too little too late”.

In a statement read outside court, Manton said:

“We’re pleased that Katie’s case is now finished. It has been a very difficult time for the entire family.

“Since Katie’s birth in 2008 we have tried to do the best for Katie with limited means and resources.

It is regrettable that even though the HSE admitted liability in these proceedings, it was not until today that there has been a semblance of an apology or expression of regret on the part of the HSE for it’s admitted negligence and failures.

“We found it very difficult to listen to the HSE apology given today for the first time in light of the circumstances surrounding our daughter’s birth and with regards to issues that remain to be addressed.

“It’s simply too little too late".

The failures on the part of the HSE and South Tipperary General Hospital have affected the lives of everyone in our family, but more particularly, our wonderful daughter Katie, whom we all love dearly and of whom we are very proud.

“After seven years we now have the opportunity to provide Katie with the very best of care and assistance to which she is entitled to.”