A FORMER police officer is set to receive a huge payout after a 13-and-a-half hour wait to see a doctor led to him having a leg amputated.
The compensation is reportedly due to be in the region of more than half a million pounds.
Dennis Stewart, 52, of Wood- thorpe, says Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust admitted the long wait was linked to him having to have his left leg amputated.
Mr Stewart – who has a cancerous tumour behind his left eye – had to be taken to Nottingham City Hospital in December 2010 because he had severe pain in his left leg, caused by a blood clot.
It took more than 13 hours before a specialist doctor assessed him and instructed for his leg to be operated on to remove the clot, by which time it was too late.
Surgeons carried out the operation to remove the clot, and doctors hoped his leg would recover – but after a few days it became apparent this wasn't going to happen, and it was amputated.
Now Mr Stewart – who received two commendations from Notts Police during his 20-year career – has been given just five years to live as his cancer has spread, and he wants to spend his cash.
"I want to spend my compensation money before I go," he said. "I don't mind dying, but I may as well make it worth it before I go. I waited far too long to see a doctor and I've paid my price. I don't want to criticise any doctors or nurses. They work hard, it's the system which I do not think works."
Mr Stewart – who is not married and doesn't have any children – said he wanted to spend the cash on bettering his quality of life and even travelling the world.
"Firstly I want to get a new leg," said Mr Stewart, who worked as a tactical adviser for Notts Police. "The money is for my quality of life; I need to make that as good as possible."
At the time, Mr Stewart was admitted to hospital he had just finished a five-day course of chemotherapy.
A settlement is yet to be finalised but the hospitals trust gave Mr Stewart an initial payment of £50,000 which he says is because it has admitted some liability.
Mr Stewart said his solicitor had told him his total payment could be up to £617,000, but the hospitals' trust could not confirm this. Dr Stephen Fowlie, medical director for Nottingham's hospitals, said: "We are very sorry Mr Stewart's treatment was delayed, with such distressing consequences. We hope to reach a final settlement as soon as possible."
