A MAN who suffered from a ‘football-sized’ hernia due to hospital negligence has won a six-figure compensation sum.

Allan Austin, 60, of Maidenhead, suffered from an ever-growing hernia in his stomach in 2013 after delays at Wexham Park Hospital meant that vital surgery was postponed for nine months.

Over the nine months, the hernia grew from three inches to an eleven inches wide mass, leaving Mr Austin unable to dress or wash himself.

He said: “When I first went in they though I might have Crohn’s disease, which caused delays. Then when I went in for my pre-assessment after six months, they lost my file. It was nine months before I had the surgery. Towards the end, the hernia was so large it was difficult to walk.”

The procedure to remove the grossly enlarged hernia finally took place in August 2014. Personal intervention from MP Theresa May led to some of the after-effects being mitigated.

He added“The hospital needed this special mesh to repair the damage, but they told me they didn’t have the money. It was then that the story hit the media, but we had already written to Theresa May. Her secretary phoned me from Westminster to ask if there had been developments. Soon after, we got the funding. If it wasn’t for Theresa May, I don’t think it would have happened. She’s continued to keep an eye on my progress.”

However, this was not the end of Mr Austin’s troubles, as complications arising from the surgery meant him being re-admitted to hospital for a lengthy period. Since the surgery was carried out, he has been unable to work, and was forced into an early retirement. He continues to suffer from a distended stomach due to the weakness of his abdominal wall. He said: “I have to wear a girdle 24 hours a day for my abdomen. I’ve got that for life.”

Mr Austin sued the hospital for negligence, arguing that the delays had lead to his health issues becoming significantly worse. Although the hospital initially refused to compensate him, once Mr Austin took the hospital to court, they relented, and in January paid out a six-figure sum, in addition to admitting fault for negligence.

Mr Austin said: “We went through some really difficult times, we nearly lost our house, until some friends stepped in to pay our mortgage for us. I’m pleased the legal side is over.”

Mr Austin said: “There are some good doctors at the hospital. On Ward 11, where I was, the staff are excellent. The problem is the admin side – the departments don’t talk to each other.”

Mr Austin’s lawyer, Oliver Thorne, of Slee Blackwell Solicitors, said: “It’s taken quite a while, but it’s great to finally settle the case.”. For the last three to four years he’s been unable to work, and his wife has been his main carer. Hopefully this money will go some way to help them, as their lives have changed dramatically.”

Frimley Heath NHS Trust has yet to respond to The Observer's story.