A WOMAN has been awarded more than half-a-million pounds after being left partially paralysed and incontinent through medical negligence by her doctor and York District Hospital.

The 49-year-old York woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, now has to be cared for full-time by her husband, who has had to give up work to do so.

The £580,000 out-of-court award will buy a specially-adapted bungalow to cope with her needs.

Lawyers Pattinson and Brewer, of Ouse Bridge, York, who acted for the former school dinner lady, said today she had a history of back pain, and when her symptoms deteriorated, her GP failed to refer her to hospital.

She collapsed several days later, and was admitted to York District Hospital after attending its casualty unit.

But her solicitor, Jane Radcliffe, said the woman did not undergo surgery for almost 48 hours, by which time she had suffered irreparable damage to her spinal cord.

Today, the woman told the Evening Press: "It has completely devastated my life. I'm in terrible pain 24 hours a day because of nerve irritation.

"I rely on my husband because I can't do anything for myself, and my life will never be the same. I can't feel anything from the waist down, except the fronts of my legs. I was fine before, I just had back pain, but I could walk about and live life normally. Now my life has been ruined.

"This money will mean we can buy an adapted bungalow, but even if I'd been awarded £2 million, I still wouldn't be able to jump up and down for joy."

Mrs Radcliffe said: "We are obviously delighted with this significant award.

A trust spokeswoman said: "The trust regrets the distress that has been suffered by this patient. We are pleased that it has been possible to bring this matter to a conclusion and hope that the settlement will go some way to making her life easier."

Updated: 12:43 Saturday, April 27, 2002