Crippled mum in ACC limbo

Botched epidural blamed for pain

MARK DWYER/Taranaki Daily News

PAIN-RIDEN: Clare Williams is trying to keep sane for her family since she became debilitated after the birth of Reef, now nearly two.

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Clare Williams says her life has been shattered since a botched epidural for an emergency caesarean more than two years ago.

Since then the 36-year-old New Plymouth mother of four has been left crippled with severe back pain and must use crutches to walk.

She is distressed that she and her youngest daughter, Reef, her husband Craig and other children are all missing out on a normal life because of her incapacitation.

"But I have to try to keep sane for the family," she said.

The anaesthetist told Mrs Williams and her husband Craig before the caesarean that he had put the epidural needle, which anaesthetises the lower back, in the wrong place. The bungled attempt caused her excruciating pain, she said.

Over the months following the birth her back pain and lack of movement got worse. But to date all attempts by her GP and orthopaedic surgeon to get her covered by ACC have failed.

Two-and-a-quarter years later, her frustrated and increasingly desperate mother, Barbara Evans, says the family is now going public determined to get justice and some financial assistance for a medical system they believe has failed them.

"She is so depressed it's unbelievable," Mrs Evans said.

"She can't walk, she can't lift up her baby, she can't do anything. It's very hard for a mother to watch."

Taranaki DHB hospital services general manager Joy Farley yesterday said that the hospital undertook a thorough investigation and had responded to Mrs Williams' concerns. "We are sorry that she is not satisfied with our response and we are happy to meet with her again."

ACC branch manager Janet Tinson said yesterday that in such cases, by law, ACC required a causal link between treatment and the subsequent injury or condition to be proven.

If a claim was declined by ACC the individual involved had the right to an independent review of the decision, followed by an appeal if ACC's decision was upheld at review, Ms Tinson said.

The Williams' family say they have insufficient income to pay for ongoing medical help and the expensive drugs that keep the pain at bay.

Mrs Williams is currently on a regime of five strong painkillers, including slow release morphine. Side-effects include nightmares and memory loss.

Mrs Williams' 16-year-old daughter has been suffering constant nose bleeds and their supportive GP, Tom Nicholson, believes it is due to stress.

She and her father, who works fulltime at Fitzroy Yachts, care for the toddler and do the work that Mrs Williams is incapable of doing when they come home.

"They are wonderful," Mrs Williams says. She struggles on without help during the day. Their older two children are away at university.

Mrs Williams last year lodged a complaint with Taranaki Base Hospital about the botched epidural and her disastrous referral to the hospital's pain clinic.

She was given a strict exercise regime in July and August last year which has now left her on crutches.

The hospital, which sent her to an orthopaedic surgeon for a second opinion late last year, has also left her with the specialist's bill for $260, which ACC declined.

Mrs Williams says it had been acknowledged that the pain clinic's exercises were not appropriate for her.

Before and after videos clearly show her deterioration.

It adds insult to injury that one clinician told her that her current condition can be expected after childbirth and was a result of the ageing process. "I'm only 36 and I didn't give birth. It was a caesarean. I have never had back pain in my life before. I represented Wales at tae kwon do when I was super fit."

The orthopaedic surgeon, who could not be reached for comment yesterday, told Mr and Mrs Williams after examining her late last year that he believed her condition was due to the effects of the epidural and it may be two years before she is free of pain.

- © Fairfax NZ News