By Jamie Thompson BBC News, East Midlands

Rosie Rowley was misdiagnosed after falling over in the playground

But for the parents of those involved, their struggle goes on to get their lives back on track.

Rosie Rowley, now 14, was left like a "zombie" after needlessly being given medication when she was misdiagnosed by Dr Andrew Holton.

On Wednesday, she was one of the first to receive compensation - about �29,000 - under a new scheme that will speed up claims.

Since she has been off the tablets she has had to rebuild her life Jane Rowley, Rosie's mother

Rosie was misdiagnosed by the Leicester consultant following EEG - brain - scans when she fell over in her school playground in 1997.

Her mother, Jane, 39, said: "Although the court case has finalised the legal side of it we are still picking up the pieces for Rosie.

"Since she has been off the tablets she has had to rebuild her life.

"She still has problems now - she has a phobia about going to the doctors, she is seeing a psychologist for help."

Dr Holton misdiagnosed children while working as a consultant paediatrician at Leicester Royal Infirmary in the 1990s.

Jane Rowley said the side-effects of the medication were 'terrible'

An investigation was launched after concerns were raised in 2001.

Rosie was referred to him by her local hospital after going for a check-up after her fall.

Just over a year later, she was on three different types of medication.

"The side-effects were terrible," said Mrs Rowley, of Hinckley in Leicestershire.

"She suffered with concentration problems, memory loss and even blackouts.

Cautious welcome

"She lost her enthusiasm for doing anything, she lost social skills and even her friends.

"She was almost like a zombie.

"The side-effects grew worse and worse, but Dr Holton said if she didn't stay on the medication it would just make her epilepsy worse."

Parents gave a cautious welcome to the scheme after it was approved at the hearing at Nottingham County Court.

"It does help but some of the children will still have to wait a long time for the panel to look at their cases," said Mrs Rowley.

Dr Holton was suspended from his post five years ago.