DEVASTATED relatives of a 'devoted family man' who died after doctors failed to properly treat his bowel problem have won a huge damages payout from a Manchester hospital.

In August 2015, after suffering weeks of abdominal pain and vomiting, the 61-year-old father from Bury ­— whose family wish for him to remain anonymous ­— was rushed to A&E.

He was admitted to the North Manchester Hospital in Crumpsall with a suspected bowel obstruction and doctors and nurses carried out treatment before referring him to the surgical team.

Staff created a plan to administer the man with intravenous (IV) fluids and pain relief and to fit a nasogastric (NG) tube and urinary catheter.

However the management plan for the man's condition was "not adequately followed", the plaintiff's representatives Forbes Solicitors say.

Neither the NG tube nor catheter were fitted meaning the man's fluids could not be properly managed.

"Due to this gross medical negligence, his condition began to deteriorate and he passed away as a result," the plaintiff's representatives added.

An official investigation was launched into the man's death which found that if his condition had been managed correctly he would have been expected to make a full recovery, and could have been discharged from hospital just ten days later.

The victim has since been described by his loved ones as a "proud family man" and a "devoted partner and father" who provided case and support for his severely disabled son, who has cerebral palsy.

Following his death, the man's family took North Manchester Hospital, which is part of The Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, to court for clinical negligence.

The court found that medical negligence was the cause of the father's death and awarded his family a £170,000 payout.

Leonie Miller, the specialist negligence solicitor who represented the families case, said: “Here is an example of where the hospital had acknowledged their neglect under their ‘duty of candour’ process.

"Ultimately, this allowed the legal team to focus on ensuring that the family, in the absence of their loved one, would be cared for going forward."