A consultant who stepped in to resuscitate his lifeless newborn baby is suing his former hospital for more than £50,000 damages.

Gerard Lane, who until last year was head of Southend Hospital's Accident and Emergency department, stepped in when his daughter was born "in a grey, floppy and unresponsive condition" and not breathing.

Dr Lane, formerly of Western Road, Leigh, has now moved to a Belfast hospital. He is taking action against his former employers, Southend Healthcare NHS Trust, on behalf of his daughter, Heather, who was born in the hospital in September, 1998. A High Court writ alleges clinical negligence.

Heather suffered brain damage caused by lack of oxygen which has left her paralysed in all four limbs and totally dependent on others. All aspects of her development have been affected and she will need therapy for the rest of her life.

The writ alleges that, had she been delivered earlier, she would have suffered no damage. And, even with the delayed delivery, she would have been left with far less severe problems if she had been resuscitated immediately she was born.

Negligence is alleged against the midwives, doctor and paediatricians.

By Pat Stone

Reporter's e-mail: pat.stone@notes.newsquest.co.uk

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