Coroner demands action from hospital following deaths of four patients after gallstone procedure

A coroner is demanding action from Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust after four patients died within six months of complications from the same gallstone procedure.

 

The patients died after undergoing an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography procedure (ERCP).

 

Coroner Laurinda Bower said following the inquest that the systems in place at the hospital led to the deaths, rather than the technical competence of a trainee doctor who carried out all four procedures.

 

Ms Bower is to issue a prevention of future deaths report demanding action from the trust following concerns that the four patients were not properly informed of the risks relating to the procedure.

 

The trust now has 56 days to draft an action plan after receiving the coroner’s prevention of future deaths report.

 

Concluding the inquest, the coroner said “These cases quite rightly provided cause for concern when it was identified that all four deaths had occurred at the hands of the same trainee and within the space of about six months.

 

“But as the evidence has crystallised during the course of the inquest, the issues appear to be more to do with the systems in place in Nottingham rather than with the technical competence of Dr Rajaram.”

 

Chadwick Lawrence’s specialist team of clinical negligence lawyers have years of experience in medical negligence claims, providing support and guidance after life-changing events.  Not only do we represent clients in Yorkshire, but because of our reputation we also represent clients nationally.

 

If you believe that you or a relative may have been injured as a result of clinical/medical negligence, please call for free legal advice from our medical negligence solicitors on the freephone number below.

 

Posted by Tony May, Partner, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

 

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