A man whose hip became infected after an operation but who was not treated with antibiotics for more than ten days has won a settlement from his local NHS trust after its negligence ultimately led to his having to have his leg amputated.

The man had a routine hip resurfacing operation in 2009 at Southmead Hospital in Bristol. The wound became infected, but was left untreated for ten days, by which time the infection had spread into his hip bone.

The infection proved impossible to eradicate and spread into his hip joint, leaving him in constant pain. Despite multiple stays in hospital, in 2013 the decision was taken to amputate his leg up to the hip joint in order to eliminate the infection.

As a result of the inadequate treatment he received, his quality of life has been permanently and seriously affected, as he now needs assistance with many routine activities.

An undisclosed settlement was agreed with the North Bristol NHS Trust, which accepted that the treatment provided had been negligent. The settlement will allow the claimant to adapt his property to meet his care needs and have care provided appropriate to his current and future circumstances.