Six-figure payout over mother's missed cancer

Lavinia Bletchly, 23, a mother of two, was sent home from hospital

three times before she died of the aggressive cancer.

A High Court judge has approved an out-of-court settlement with Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board, part of which will compensate her daughters Shaila, nine, and six-year-old Chloe. The textile design student at the University of Wales Institute Cardiff, she fell ill in May 2004 a few months after Chloe's birth.

Miss Bletchly, of Bridgend, South Wales, died from peritonitis and malignant non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Examinations over eight months ruled out gynaecological problems, but she continued to complain of pain.

In February 2005 an ultrasound revealed a cyst and an exploratory operation found fluid above the liver.

Over the next three weeks she was admitted three times to the Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend. On one occasion a senior consultant told her family it was "all in her head" and that she should make way for urgent cases.

But in March 2005 a CT scan and further surgery found an extensive malignant tumour.

Despite urgent chemotherapy she died on March 24 2005.

It is understood the family will receive about 350,000.

Sitting in Cardiff, Judge Anthony Seys Llewellyn QC said the sum awarded was "appropriate and sensible".

He praised Miss Bletchly's partner and the girls' father, Justin Tellem.

"There is the certainty of everything that I have read that her two daughters are in the care of an excellent father and a close and warm family."

Speaking outside court, Miss Bletchly's father, Arthur, 57,

said: "Today is a good day, really. We are very lucky we have got the kids. They are lovely little girls – what kept us going, to be honest.

"It would be just great if they could grow up and be happy and do something useful with their lives, and I think that what we have got to do is to put them in a position where they can do that."

He called for the health board to consider disciplinary action and said he would refer the case to the General Medical Council.

In a statement, the health board offered its sincere condolences and said expert reports had found no gross failings on the part of hospital staff in a very complex case.

It said the claim was settled out of court to avoid prolonged legal proceedings which could result in substantial legal costs.