'Hospital poisoned our sons with iron' Family's eight year fight for justice.

Byline: LIZA WILLIAMS

THE parents of brothers poisoned at Liverpool's biggest hospital today spoke about their eight year legal battle for compensation.

Bosses at the Royal Liverpool Hospital have paid substantial out of court settlements to Paul and Liam McNeely, from Allerton, after admitting excess iron had been pumped into the men's bodies for more than 25 years.

Due to a court order the exact figure cannot be revealed.

Today Mum Linda, 60, said: "As a family we are still devastated with what's happened.

"No amount of compensation could ever replace the normal family life which has been taken away from us, or relieve the ongoing stress we have to endure."

The iron poisoning spread into all of the brothers' vital organs, which could have proved fatal.

Paul, 39, is now totally dependant on his parents and has the support of regular carers.

He continues to suffer neurological health problems in the for m of confusion, insomnia and mood swings.

Liam, 35, is diabetic and suffers from liver problems.

The compensation will pay for their life long care.

Despite the family's concerns a test, which would show the boy's iron levels were dangerously high, was not carried out.

The hospital says changes in national guidelines have now altered practice throughout Britain.

The iron was repeatedly pumped into their bodies through regular blood transfusions to manage a rare form of anaemia, called pyruvate kinase deficiency (PKD).

Mrs McNeely said: "I feel extremely let down by these so-called professionals and cannot understand how they failed to spot the iron overload.

" We have had to fight for the truth and for the correct treatment to save our son's lives."

In 2001 the family sought the advice of alternative doctors and were told the scale of the iron overload, which can kill. The brothers were then given Chelation treatment for almost three years- a painful and lengthy process which strips the excess iron away.

Dad Dennis, 62, said: "We know they could have prevented all this damage to our sons.

"I just think they dug such a big hole for themselves that they couldn't get out of it.

"It was as if they were just prepared to let our sons die."

Medical Negligence Solicitor Rachel Donovan who has been fighting the case for the family said: "The hospital's failings has had tragic consequences for not only Liam and Paul but also for their parents.

"This is one of the saddest cases I have ever worked on."

Patrick Chu, Consultant Haematologist and Divisional Medical Director at the Trust, added: "We have apologised directly to the family, verbally and in a letter.

"We have accepted liability for this and have expressed our sincere apologies.

"We are committed to ensuring patient safety and to improving the quality of our services."

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CAPTION(S):

FIGHT FOR JUSTICE: Liam and Paul McNeely as boys, they were poisoned by excess iron at Royal Liverpool Hospital over the course of 25 years STANDING STRONG: Dennis and Linda McNeeley, with their two sons, Paul, centre right and Liam, centre left, at home in Allerton