A 10-YEAR-OLD girl has been awarded £5m in care compensation after she was left severely disabled following two hospital blunders.

Louisa Ravouvou suffered severe injuries when hospital staff failed to respond to a bleed on the brain while she was in her mother’s womb and later neglected to give her a blood transfusion she needed after her birth.

At the High Court today, a care package worth about £5m was awarded to her after the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust and the Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust admitted failing in their duty of care.

Sue Jarvis, a partner at Blake Lapthorn who heads the firm’s clinical negligence team in Oxford, acted for the youngster who has three siblings.

After the ruling she said: “The settlement means that Louisa will receive a package to provide care for the rest of her life, valued at approximately £5m.

“Louisa's family have already moved to specialist accommodation which will be adapted to meet her needs and a professional care regime has been appointed to provide the 24-hour care that she requires for the remainder of her life.”

The lawyer added: “Although Louisa is severely disabled she has a delightful disposition and potential to be able to indicate her preferences and her specialist accommodation and care team will try to improve her quality of life as much as possible, for example, providing a stimulating environment in which Louisa is likely to thrive.

“Louisa has a much reduced life expectancy but the award will ensure that during her shortened life she receives the care and aids and appliances which she needs."

Louisa, who lives in Oxfordshire, was born in October 2003 at the Great Western Hospital in Swindon because there were no specialist care beds available in Oxford.

It was in the Swindon hospital where staff failed to arrange for a blood transfusion within half an hour of her birth which led to her collapsing and suffering severe brain damage.

It was in the week before her birth at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Headington where staff failed to respond to the bleeding on the brain.

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust spokeswoman Stephanie Clark yesterday said: “The Trust offered its sincere apologies for the identified failures in care leading up to Ana Ravouvou’s delivery in 2003.

“The Trust has made an admission of liability and has agreed a settlement with Ms Ravouvou and her family which we hope will provide assistance for her future and assist Ms Ravouvou in reaching her full potential.”