A GRIEVING mother has vowed to continue her fight for justice, after NHS bosses admitted her son's premature release from hospital contributed to his agonising death.
Edith Blacklock said the admission over the death of her 32-year-old son Martin was "a start" but she would continue her battle for justice, for changes at the hospital and to encourage others to challenge medics where they feel their loved ones are being treated poorly.
Mrs Blacklock said: "I swore to Martin on the day he died: "With every breath in my body, son, I will get you justice. Things have to change."
Mr Blacklock, who lived with his parents at Parkhouse Gardens, in Sherburn Village, near Durham City, had been fit and healthy until he was struck down with ulcerative colitis, a serious bowel complaint, in November 2009.
He was rushed to accident and emergency at the University Hospital of North Durham, in Durham City.
Despite being in agonising pain, Mr Blacklock was discharged from hospital three days later.
By the time he returned to hospital, on December 23, it was too late: he had suffered serious complications. He underwent five operations, beginning on Christmas Eve, but never left hospital and died in agony on February 16.
Unhappy at his treatment, Mr Blacklock's family launched legal action against County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the hospital.
And in a breakthrough the Trust has now admitted Mr Blacklock's premature discharge contributed to his death. Mrs Blacklock said: "No parents expect to lose a child but we have to live the rest of our lives knowing that our son would have lived if he had been treated correctly.
"No words can really say how we feel - he was a special son who was so full of life and we miss him so much.
"He was suffering, in absolute agony, and died the most horrific death."
Mr Blacklock, who had mild learning difficulties, had attended Sherburn and Durham Trinity schools and worked as a kitchen porter at Hide bar, in Durham city centre.
A keen Sunderland FC fan, his family, including mother Edith, 56, father Neil, 56, and sister Catherine, 36, bought a brick at the club's Stadium of Light in his memory.
His mother said: "Everybody loved Martin. He was so friendly, happy and outgoing. We received 310 sympathy cards. He was our gentle giant."
At Mr Blacklock's inquest, Durham coroner Andrew Tweddle ruled he died from recognised complications of a necessary medical intervention.
However, solicitors Irwin Mitchell took up the case and the family could now receive a five-figure payout.
But Mrs Blacklock insisted the case was not about money, but about justice.
Solicitor Lindsey Henderson, from Irwin Mitchell, said treating Mr Blacklock's condition should have been routine and called on the hospital to learn lessons from the case.
A spokeswoman for the County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust said it had an open and honest policy for complaints, tried to listen to all concerns, investigate thoroughly and respond appropriately.
The Trust was sorry Mr Blacklock's family felt let down by the care he received but was satisfied with the coroner's verdict and continued to be in open discussions with the family, she added.
"As this is now the subject of a legal claim it would not be appropriate for the Trust to comment further at this time," the spokeswoman said.
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