A HOSPITAL has awarded £10,000 to a patient who developed deep vein thrombosis following an operation.

Terry Gallagher, 59, from Arnold, developed a swelling in his left leg a week after he had a thoracotomy – an incision to gain access to the oesophagus.

The procedure was carried out at the City Hospital on August 7, 2007, to treat reflux, a condition where the acid from the stomach leaks up into the oesophagus.

An intravenous line had been inserted above his knee after the operation to provide him with fluids and he was given compression tights to wear.

A scan was carried out to check for clots in the swelling but none were found and there were no clear causes for the symptoms.

Clinicians suggested a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) was unlikely.

A red patch had appeared by August 21, but it was thought to be cellulitis – a skin infection – and Mr Gallagher was treated with antibiotics and discharged.

But three days later he was readmitted with swelling and on August 28 a massive DVT was confirmed. Mr Gallagher said that as a result of the DVT he now has severe mobility problems.

"Basically I now walk with a stick and I cannot even walk into Arnold to the shops," he said. "I used to enjoy walking holidays."

Mr Gallagher said he has to inject himself with blood thinning drugs every night, wear compression tights for the rest of his life and have regular physiotherapy.

He added he cannot have the knee replacement surgery he needs and has had to buy a new car and have a low-level shower fitted in his bathroom.

Mr Gallagher said the compensation will be used to pay for these items.

Nottingham University Hospitals Trust's medical director, Dr Stephen Fowlie, said: "We are always disappointed when something goes wrong in a patient's care, especially when this has serious, sometimes tragic, consequences.

"By reporting and investigating when things go wrong, we can often prevent the same or similar mistakes recurring.

"We promote a culture of openness between patients and staff, encouraging staff to inform patients and relatives when things do go wrong, and patients and relatives to let us know when we could have done better. This is an important part of our campaign to improve patient safety."

Mr Gallagher said he was relieved everything had been resolved.

"It has been very distressing," said Mr Gallagher. "I am still having lots of problems with my health and they are getting worse, not better.

"The reason for getting the compensation was to make the trust sit up and take notice and make sure nobody else goes through the hell I have been through."

tanya.holden@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk