A WOMAN is claiming compensation which could amount to more than £300,000 from the Trust which runs Lister Hospital over injuries to her young daughter. Sally Smith, of Cowslip Hill, Letchworth GC, has issued a High Court writ seeking damages for her daug

A WOMAN is claiming compensation which could amount to more than £300,000 from the Trust which runs Lister Hospital over injuries to her young daughter.

Sally Smith, of Cowslip Hill, Letchworth GC, has issued a High Court writ seeking damages for her daughter, Romy, who the writ says suffered undisclosed injuries when she was treated at Lister Hospital in 2001.

The writ alleges staff at the hospital were negligent when treating Romy. Although the writ does not specify the level of compensation claimed it indicates that lawyers value the claim, if successful, as being worth more than £300,000. A spokesman for East and North Herts NHS Trust said: "Romy Smith was born prematurely (29 weeks) at Ipswich hospital on April 24, 2001.

"A few days later she was transferred to the Lister's neonatal intensive care unit.

"Shortly afterwards, Romy collapsed suddenly and, as a result, she suffered severe and permanent brain damage.

"An investigation was carried out by the Trust at the time although it did not reach a conclusion as to what caused Romy's condition to deteriorate so suddenly and unexpectedly.

"Earlier this month, notification was received that proceedings against the Trust had been lodged in the courts by solicitors acting for Romy's family.

"The Trust will, of course, be co-operating in full with the legal process that is now under way, with the first step being the Trust requesting external expert reports to be prepared.

"Such cases often take a long time to bring to a conclusion, but the Trust will try and do everything in its power to resolve this very sad affair for everyone involved as soon as possible.