A HOSPITAL trust has paid out a six-figure sum in damages over the death of a Teignmouth mother of three.

Her husband claimed she would probably still be alive if Torbay Hospital had acted correctly.

Beverley Moses, 50, died of cervical cancer, and now South Devon Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust has admitted liability over the misdiagnosis of a smear test.

Widower Mike Moses, a retired nurse and former Teignmouth rugby player and rugby coach, said he hoped his four-year battle with the health authorities would prevent similar mistakes being made in the future.

He has also made a formal complaint to the General Medical Council about a consultant gynaecologist at Torbay Hospital who treated his wife, alleging he failed

in his duty of care.A spokesman for the trust said: 'The hospital very much regrets that the cancer was not detected sooner, and the distress this caused. If offers its most sincere apologies to Mr Moses that the treatment begun in 2003, was not able to save his wife's life.

'The hospital accepted liability and apologised in respect of the interpretation in 2001 of an unclear test result. Mrs Moses was referred to a hospital consultant in 2003, seen and treated, but very sadly died in 2005.

'Settlement of this claim was made nine months ago. No further complaint has been received.'

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