Two brothers have won a substantial undisclosed amount in compensation after blood transfusions they underwent at the Royal Liverpool Hospital were found to have poisoned them.

Paul and Liam McNeely, 39 and 35 respectively, both suffer from a rare form of anaemia, pyruvate kinase deficiency, which was being treated with regular blood transfusions. Unfortunately, the transfusions contained an excess of iron and over a 25-year period the brothers were being slowly poisoned.

Although the family had concerns about the treatment the brothers were receiving, a test that would have revealed the abnormally high levels of iron in their blood was never carried out.

Paul McNeely now suffers from neurological problems which include mood swings, insomnia and confusion. He is totally dependent on the support of both his parents and outside carers.

Liam McNeely now has diabetes and liver problems that will require treatment for the rest of his life.

To counteract the effects of the earlier treatment, the brothers had to undergo a process called chelation therapy, which lasted three years. It is a lengthy and painful process which removes the excess iron in the body and involves slow, 12-hour injections five times a week.

The Hospital Trust issued an apology to the two men and admitted gross negligence.