A mother-of-three whose sex life was ruined after a negligent delay in spinal surgery has won £2.4million in damages from the NHS . Heather Tait was in tears yesterday when the award was announced at London ’ s High Court . The 34-year-old photographer had told an earlier hearing in Birmingham that her ‘ passionate ’ sex life with her husband Russel had been ruined by the complications she continues to suffer from . Heather Tait ( left ) was suffering from acute back pain when medics sent her home without carrying out an MRI scan . Judge Martin McKenna , who made the award , said Mrs Tait had told doctors that she ‘ now feels that to a degree there is no point in having intercourse ’ . She also felt her closeness with her husband had been ‘ jeopardised ’ by her lack of enjoyment in sex . Mrs Tait , of Sutton Coldfield , West Midlands , said as she left court : ‘ I ’ m pleased that it is finally over. ’ She was the boss of her own company and winning respect as a professional photographer before she went into Cheltenham General Hospital in July 2009 , suffering from severe back pain . Judge McKenna – who only had to decide the amount of damages after a judgment was entered for Mrs Tait against the Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Trust in 2012 – said although it was suspected she had a prolapsed disc , she was sent home without an MRI scan . By the next day , Mrs Tait ’ s condition had deteriorated . She returned to hospital and a scan revealed a massive prolapsed disc . She had emergency spinal surgery at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham on July 8 , 2009 . The 34-year-old developed a devastating back condition after delays in emergency scans and treatment while being treated at Cheltenham General Hospital . The hospital 's negligence left Mrs Tait 'doubly incontinent , with a loss of sexual sensation and some psychiatric damage , ' London 's High Court ( pictured ) heard . Judge McKenna said the trust had admitted if she had had the scan and surgery earlier , she would not have developed the severe injuries she now suffers from . Mrs Tait has been left doubly incontinent and ‘ has suffered a loss of sexual sensation and some psychiatric damage ’ , the judge said . Cauda equina syndrome is a serious condition where the nerves at the very bottom of the spinal cord become compressed . Symptoms include : . Doctors advise seeking medical assistance immediately if a person develops these symptoms . They should visit their GP or the accident and emergency ( A & E ) department of the nearest hospital . If cauda equina syndrome is not promptly treated , the nerves to the bladder and bowel can become permanently damaged . Source : NHS Choices . She continues to suffer from back pain . As well as helping her husband to run a conferencing organising business – Crystal Clear Productions ( CCP ) – Mrs Tait ran her own photography business , Heather Tait Photography . Judge McKenna said she was not a person who would exaggerate her symptoms for profit . ‘ She is a high achiever who has worked extremely hard throughout her life , ’ he said . ‘ She left school at 17 with ten GCSEs to pursue a career in theatre lighting and media , and she is , plainly , a capable , driven and ambitious woman with proven business skills , and a talented photographer who has been the driving force behind the success of CCP. ’ He said that despite the effect of the delayed surgery , Mrs Tait had tried to continue her photographic business and complete the first year of a Masters degree at Birmingham City University . ‘ To my mind these are not the character traits or indeed the actions of a malingerer or someone who is out to exaggerate her claim for financial gain , ’ he said . Judge McKenna awarded Mrs Tait £140,000 for her pain and suffering and loss of amenity , with the balance made up of past and future care and loss of earnings . As well as paying £2.4million in damages , the trust must also pay legal costs estimated at £1.2million . The trust ’ s counsel , Robert Seabrook QC , said ‘ continuous efforts ’ were made to improve procedures and standards at its hospitals . He also expressed the trust ’ s ‘ deep sympathy ’ to Mrs Tait for the ‘ terrible injuries she has suffered ’ . Mrs Tait said as she left court : ' I 'm pleased that it is finally over . '
Mrs Tait ’ s , 34 , ran a thriving photography business and has 3 children . Had been suffering from acute back pain but was not given MRI scan . Collapsed disc was not spotted , so she developed horrific back condition . Has now been awarded huge payout after High Court hearing .