A 26-year-old woman from West Yorkshire has been awarded a multi-million-pound compensation after NHS failings led to the amputation of her leg, following a series of medical mistakes at Dewsbury Hospital.
Molly Harbron, from Batley, suffered irreversible damage to her leg after hospital staff failed to properly assess her symptoms in April 2020. Despite presenting with numbness in her foot and severe calf pain, her surgery was delayed by more than 16 hours.
Originally admitted to Dewsbury Hospital’s A&E department with signs of deep vein thrombosis, she was scheduled for surgery the same evening. However, the operation was postponed until the following afternoon at Leeds General Infirmary.
By the time she was treated, it was too late to save her leg. Surgeons were forced to perform a below-the-knee amputation, followed by an above-the-knee amputation days later.
NHS Trust Admits Responsibility
The Mid Yorkshire NHS Trust later acknowledged in writing that the delay in treatment directly contributed to the need for amputation. The letter stated that had surgery occurred earlier, Molly’s leg might have been saved.
“It got ripped away,” Molly said, reflecting on the impact of the incident. “I was very active, very fit… and then that just stopped. It’s a bit of a kick in the teeth finding out it could have been prevented.”
Compensation Transforms Life After Trauma
Molly, who lives with type 1 diabetes, has now received the first installment of her compensation. The funds have already enabled her to move from a first-floor flat to a more accessible bungalow, pay for rehabilitation, therapies, and a prosthetic leg tailored to her body.
With her new prosthesis, Molly was able to pass her driving test and regain independence she thought she had lost forever.
“I’m happy, finally. Very independent,” she said. “I’m going out by myself, driving and shopping alone. It’s incredible. It’s just changed so much.”
The remaining compensation is scheduled to be paid in 2027.
