A 12-year-old boy from Wisbech facing a lifetime of severe disability due to medical negligence, has won a compensation deal worth £4.4million. Little Macauley Joyce, was left with cerebral palsy and learning difficulties after both a GP and community mid

A 12-year-old boy from Wisbech facing a lifetime of severe disability due to medical negligence, has won a compensation deal worth £4.4million.

Little Macauley Joyce, was left with cerebral palsy and learning difficulties after both a GP and community midwife failed to refer his mother to hospital after she developed a life-threatening medical condition pre-eclampsia, when the family lived in Newbury in 1995.

He is now dependent on a wheelchair to get around and will need care for the rest of his life.

Susan Joyce, developed the pre-eclampsia at 26 weeks of pregnancy, but a court heard the midwife and GP failed to refer her to hospital for further investigation.

She was referred to hospital when she was 27 weeks pregnant where Macauley was born prematurely after an emergency caesarean operation.

Medical experts instructed by Macauley's solicitor concluded that had his mother been referred to hospital earlier, doctors would have recognised the foetal distress and intervened before he suffered oxygen starvation.

The settlement was approved by the Royal Courts of Justice and follows an earlier admission of liability by the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust and GP Dr Jonathan Hayward.

Simon Elliman, from With King solicitors who lead the team in the case, said: "I am really pleased that Macauley is going to receive damages which will ensure that all his care, accommodation and equipment needs will be met for the rest of his life.

"This settlement will be a life-changing one for Macauley, because his quality of life over the next fifty or sixty years will be transformed.

Mrs Joyce, added: "The court case has taken several years to settle, but after many appointments, assessments and much determination, I feel I can now start to live a normal family life, knowing that Macauley is fully provided for.

"I would like to thank Macauley's legal team for all their hard work and commitment during the case, and thanks Macauley for not giving up on life 12 years ago. He has made us stronger.