Mum-of-four left incontinent at 41 after medics missed a serious spinal problem and sent her home from A&E
Michelle Turner suffers from loss of bladder and bowel control, is unable to walk without crutches and is in permanent agony
A MUM-of-four was left incontinent after doctors missed a serious spinal condition that needed emergency surgery and sent her away - because they were "keen to go home", she claims.
Michelle Turner, 41, suffers from bladder and bowel incontinence, is unable to walk without crutches and is in permanent agony after doctors missed the signs of cauda equina syndrome (CES).
The condition, which causes the nerves in the lower back to suddenly become compressed, requires emergency surgery and can result in nerve damage, paralysis and incontinence if not treated.
The Reading mum-of-four, who says the mistake left her "a shadow of her former self" and "devastated her life", has now received an apology from Royal Berkshire Hospital.
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Michelle, whose children are aged 20, 17, eight and six, said: "I put on a brave face for my kids and try to make the best of things, but inside I am really struggling and it has changed me as a person.
"I used to love doing physical activities with my kids but now I rarely leave the house and need a lot of help from family and friends.
"I also have to take a lot of medication to cope with the pain. My two older children have been really affected by what happened and have to do a lot more around the house, while the younger two will never know the fun mum I used to do.
"It also caused my 12-year relationship with my partner to break down – it has basically taken most of my life away."
She had an eight year history of sciatica – pain caused by irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve, which runs from the pelvis to the feet – before she developed CES.
On June 2, 2011, she woke up to discover the pain was stabbing and intense and it became so bad over the course of the day she couldn't walk and had to drag herself up the stairs to bed.
But when she attended the Royal Berkshire Hospital's A&E department at 10.30pm the same night, an MRI scan was not carried out and she was sent home.
Michelle claims the A&E doctor she spoke to was "keen to go home" and said she overhead another doctor stating she should have finished her shift "two hours earlier".
Michelle, who alleges she does not remember being given a pin prick test or rectal examination, was send home with diazepam, a muscle relaxant drug.
Cauda equina syndrome: Paralysis and nerve damage
Cauda equina syndrome (CES) is caused by the compression and swelling of nerves found in the spine located in the lower back. It is usually caused by underlying conditions affecting the lower spine, such as herniated discs or spinal canal infections.
Symptoms include weakness in the arms and legs, sharp pains in the lower back or legs and loss of rectal control and emergency decompression surgery is usually required.
If this is not received, CES results in permanent paralysis, loss of bowel or bladder control, walking difficulties and other physical problems.
She remained at home in the same condition until June 5, when she took her children for a walk with her partner.
But when she took one of the youngsters to the toilet, she noticed she had wet herself without even feeling the urge to urinate and her jeans were wet all the way down to her knees.
The following morning Michelle phoned her doctor who advised her to go to A&E before she underwent decompressive spinal surgery on June 7 and was discharged from hospital on June 13.
Michelle claims she was never officially told she had developed CES and she only found out when she later received a letter from the urology department she was later referred to in October 2011, which mentioned she had the condition.
Solicitors for the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust have now made a formal admission of liability in relation to failure to carry out an MRI scan of Michelle on June 2 and failure to perform decompressive surgery on or by June 4.
Solicitors at law firm JMW, representing Michelle, are currently calculating a settlement with the hospital based on the long-term care and equipment she now needs to cope with her disabilities.
Eddie Jones, head of JMW's medical negligence team, said: "The tragedy in Michelle's case is that the hospital missed a clear opportunity to operate and prevent permanent damage from being caused.
"Michelle will have to live with the consequences of those errors for the rest of her life."
In a letter of apology sent to Michelle on April 19 this year, Jean O'Callaghan, chief executive of Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, said: "I understand had an MRI investigation and resulting surgery taken place you would have had an excellent post-operative outcome with no neurological deficit.
"I am writing to express my apologies to you for the Trust's shortcomings and I acknowledge your current condition would be much different but for our failings.
"I deeply regret the standard of care was inadequate and that this has caused you to suffer.
"On behalf of the trust I wish to apologise to you and your family for the impact the failings have had on your lives."
In an additional statement, Ms O'Callaghan added: "I deeply regret that the standard of care Ms Turner received in June 2011 was inadequate and this has caused her to suffer.
"On behalf of the Trust I wish to apologise to Ms Turner and her family for the impact this has had on their lives and hope that all parties will work together to achieve an early resolution of the claim and settlement."