Mum's 20-year fight for epilepsy drug compensation

"Who will look after our children when we're no longer here? At the moment that's nobody."

Catherine Cox, from Keyworth in Nottinghamshire, was one of thousands of women who took the epilepsy drug, sodium valproate, while pregnant, something which is now advised against.

Her son Matthew, now 23, was born with a range of conditions, including autism, ADHD, epilepsy and several learning disabilities.

At the age of 18 months, he was diagnosed with foetal valproate syndrome, indicating the medication his mother took was the cause of his problems. Mrs Cox has been campaigning for compensation ever since.

In February 2024, a report by the Patient Safety Commissioner, Henrietta Hughes, said there was a "clear" and "urgent" need to compensate those harmed by valproate, both financially and otherwise.

Dr Hughes made a series of recommendations, including a specific housing grant for valproate victims, a removal of the barriers many face in getting their special educational needs recognised, and work to issue an apology to each individual affected.

More than a year has since passed, and the government is still working on a response.

Mrs Cox said: "We have pulled various governments over time kicking and screaming to this point where they have acknowledged that the difficulties for up to 20,000 children were caused by this drug.

"As we go on, what we need is something to make up for their loss of potential."

The delays were recently raised at Prime Minister's Questions by Mrs Cox's MP, Labour's James Naish, who represents Rushcliffe.

Sir Keir Starmer responded it was "obviously a really important matter".

"We will provide an update on the Patient Safety Commissioner's report at the earliest opportunity to the House," the prime minister added.

Naish said: "We're all working hard. The government has a huge amount on its plate. It's already dealt with big scandals such as the infected blood scandal.

"We just want to make sure that this is one of those issues as well."

Despite two decades of setbacks, Mrs Cox is hoping she will hear some positive news soon.

"The Labour government were really, really supportive in opposition. Let's see them stand by their word," she said.

"As a society we are judged by how we treat our most vulnerable and the children affected by valproate are our most vulnerable. They need that help going forward."