Patient to sue hospital over X-ray failures

A woman is to sue a hospital which failed to X-ray her fractured neck correctly.

According to Patricia Griffiths, her life has been changed beyond recognition as a result of her injuries.

The 65-year-old was taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital, which is run by the Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, in November 2005 after falling on a staircase.

A CT scan subsequently revealed that she had fractured her neck and she was X-rayed to find out whether the fracture was stable.

However, the tests did not show up all of the vertebrae and she was discharged with a follow-up visit scheduled for three months later.

Ms Griffiths had to be readmitted in January suffering from a dislocated vertebra and partial dislocation of two others and she required surgery to decompress a nerve root and fuse three vertebrae.

Earlier this year, the trust - which employs around 7,000 staff - admitted it was in breach of duty.

Ms Griffiths is now seeking compensation of up to £300,000.