The two families in the West Midlands are still awaiting compensation two-and-a-half years after the NHS admitted liability after a mother discovered she had brought home the wrong baby girl following a family DNA test.

Caroline Walker, interim group chief executive at The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, said: ‘Our thoughts remain with the families involved in this complex case that we appreciate has been extremely upsetting for all affected. We are working with NHS Resolution to do all we can to ensure their claim is concluded as swiftly as possible.

‘We continue to support the families as they to try to come to terms with what has happened.'

An NHS Resolution spokesperson said: ‘We extend our deepest apologies on behalf of the hospital involved, for the appalling error made by the NHS in the 1960s and the distressing, longer-term consequences of this.

‘This is a unique and complex case, involving multiple parties whose confidentiality and privacy must be paramount.

‘Legal liability was admitted immediately on receipt of the claim, and we have since been working closely with the legal team acting for those affected to agree on the amount of compensation due.'