THE largest health organisation in Wales is to pay nearly £37 million for the lifelong care of two youngsters following 'traumatic births'.

The children suffered cerebral palsy after a traumatic birth at hospital.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, which provides services across North Wales, agreed settlements in the separate medical negligence cases brought before the High Court in recent weeks.

Earlier this month, lawyers agreed a £20 million settlement for a child who suffered catastrophic injuries after their mother’s Caesarean section scar, from a previous pregnancy, ruptured during delivery.

The woman had purposely returned to the UK for the birth because she had hoped for a better quality of care than where she was living.

Her child, now a teenager, is significantly impaired in terms of mobility, will not be able to live independently and will require full-time care for life.

Lawyers at Slater and Gordon, representing the family in their seven-year legal battle, argued that the birth at the undisclosed hospital had been mismanaged and that risks had not been recognised.

Yvonne Agnew, head of clinical negligence at the Manchester-based law firm, told PA: “The family in this case, although dedicated to creating the best possible future for their child, were inevitably struggling with the lack of support and care provision that this child desperately needed. It is now thankfully the case that this necessary care, therapy equipment and adaption are fully accessible and this will be life-changing.

“I would stress that the amount of money received is based on calculations of a lifetime of additional care, occupational therapy, living aids and equipment, as well as specially adapted accommodation and transport. Awards are designed to create security and a better future and I am extremely pleased that this has been achieved for this delightful claimant and this devoted family.”

The claimant’s mother said: “We are very proud of how our child has overcome so many challenges already in life, but we are also now relieved that the future is secure and allows for so many more opportunities and allows the whole family to have a better, less stressful life.”

Gill Harris, the health board’s executive director of nursing and midwifery, added: “We offer our most sincere apologies to the claimant and their family and hope that the settlement reached will provide the support they need in the future.”

Ms Harris also apologised last month to a young girl and her family for 'unacceptable delays during her delivery that led to her ongoing disability'.

A settlement of almost £17 million was reached in her case after she was diagnosed with cerebral palsy following the birth at Wrexham Maelor Hospital.