Legal News

The widower of a woman who died after routine surgery for varicose veins is considering take legal action against Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital over her death.

Online publisher EDP24.com reports that classroom assistant Nicola Tweedy, 54, died days after the routine surgery at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital. Mrs Tweedy suffered a pulmonary embolism – a blood clot which travels to the lungs and then spreads to the brain – days after the operation on 27 March 2014.

The Norfolk coroner Jacqueline Lake returned a narrative verdict at an inquest into Mrs Tweedy’s death held on Tuesday and Wednesday (3-4 March).

Mrs Lake added that she was “under duty” to write a report on a number of issues raised at the inquest, so that future deaths could be prevented.

Consultant vascular surgeon Robert Brightwell admitted during the inquest into Mrs Tweedy’s death that a thrombosis risk assessment had not been completed by the hospital.

A nurse caring for Mrs Tweedy – Susan Brown – said that she accepted it was an “oversight” on her part that a checklist had not been completed on Mrs Tweedy’s patient discharge notes.

The inquest concluded that Mrs Tweedy – from Diss in south Norfolk – died “following a rare but recognised risk of appropriate surgery”.

Mrs Lake said that she was satisfied Mrs Tweedy’s varicose vein surgery had been carried out properly – but added that there were concerns that Mrs Tweedy had not received the correct information and leaflets about her post-operative care.

Mrs Lake’s report is expected to cover the hospital’s duty to complete all appropriate forms – including the necessity of all forms being correctly filled in and hospital staff being trained in how to complete the forms and knowing why they should be completed. The report will also recommend that a procedure be introduced to ensure all forms are completed for every patient – and information leaflet are given to patients.

Mrs Lake added that, following surgery, Mrs Tweedy should have been prescribed an extended dose of anticoagulant drug heparin thromboprophylaxis to prevent post-operative blood clots.

However, she said she was “satisfied” the hospital had since carried out a review – and had implemented changes to patient care for vascular surgery.

After the inquest, Mrs Tweedy’s husband Chris said:

“I am satisfied that the coroner has carried out a thorough investigation into Nicky’s death and I thank her for that.
“Pending possible civil action to be undertaken by me against the N&N, I cannot at this stage list how I believe the N&N failed my wife – failed us as a family.

“In my opinion, her death was also avoidable.”

Duncan Lewis Clinical Negligence Solicitors – No win no fee Cardio Vascular Surgery Claims

Duncan Lewis clinical negligence solicitors can advise NHS patients and private patients who have suffered injury as a result of negligent cardio vascular surgery on how to make a no win no fee claim for compensation.

Clinical negligence claims are usually made within three years of injury or medical negligence – or three years from the date of diagnosis of injury or medical negligence.

Children who suffer injury as a result of medical negligence can claim up to the age of 21.

In cases where a loved one has lost their life as a result of negligent cardio vascular surgery, Duncan Lewis can advise bereaved families on how to make a no win no fee Fatal Injuries Claim for compensation.

For expert legal advice on no win no fee Cardio Vascular Surgery Claims, call Duncan Lewis Clinical Negligence Solicitors on 020 7923 4020.