A DAD has been left permanently disabled after a hospital wrongly flushed food into his lung following major surgery.

Michael Moy, from Basildon, had liquid administered into his lung instead of his stomach on at least two occasions after staff did not check the position of his feeding tube.

The 58-year-old was subsequently diagnosed with pneumonia and an abscess in the lung after treatment at Queen’s Hospital, Romford.

He had previously undergone surgery on a brain tumour.

Michael now has permanent lung disease, a shortened life expectancy and has retired.

Lawyers Irwin Mitchell helped Michael secure an admission of liability and an undisclosed settlement to cover his future care, medical treatment and loss of earnings.

The hospital trust found that tubes were not checked prior to food being given.

Michael said: “My life has totally changed following my lung problems. I enjoyed working and going running and cycling, many of the things people just take for granted.

“Even day-to-day tasks such as mowing the lawn is a struggle. I had not needed to have to go to hospital for 50 years, but I’m there regularly now.

“This event has changed my life from an adventurous 50-something, who was active in all aspects of my daily living, into a person who finds it difficult to catch my breath doing simple tasks and paranoid with any medical procedures.

“I’m anxious about what the future holds and what it will mean for me and my family.”

Michael has a long-term partner, Marcie, 59, and two children and four grandchildren.

In autumn 2014, he was diagnosed with a brain tumour before successful surgery on October 16, 2014, after which a feeding tube was inserted.

Between October 21 and 23 food was flushed into Michael’s lung twice.

On October 23, Michael began coughing up blood. Following examinations the error was spotted. About a week later another tube was discovered in Michael’s lung.

Over the next month he underwent 14 X-rays showing an expanding abnormal area.

He was diagnosed with pneumonia and a lung abscess. Michael remained in hospital until January 2015 and now suffers regular coughing fits each day and suffers from lung infections.

Kathryn Halford, chief nurse and deputy chief executive, said: “We are extremely sorry that we did not live up to our own high standard of care in this case, and apologise to Michael and his family. We would like to reassure them that we have learned lessons to ensure it does not happen again.

“This includes introducing a new policy on use of feeding tubes, which ensures that these are always checked by a senior nurse.”