Grandmother 'was failed by hospital'

Jennifer Fisher, 64, died at her home in Mill Lane, Cloughton, near Scarborough, less than two weeks after the procedure at Bridlington Hospital due to a pulmonary embolism brought on by deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

But Mrs Fisher was given no chemical or physical treatment to prevent DVT even though her medical history meant she was predisposed to the condition.

She had also not been given compression stockings, which are designed to prevent blood clots, after the operation, the inquest was told.

Recording a narrative verdict, North Yorkshire East Coroner Michael Oakley said he would be writing to trust bosses, adding: "The hospital have totally failed this lady."

Widowed Peter Fisher said his late wife "had always been fit, active, quite sporty and enjoyed badminton and tennis".

However, she began to experience problems with her right knee last summer.

On the morning of her death in January, Mrs Fisher complained of dizziness and shortness of breath. She lay on the bed and said she needed a doctor, before smiling at her husband and going to sleep. She never regained consciousness.

A Scarborough NHS trust spokesman said: "All the people involved from the hospital have co-operated fully with the coroner's investigation. We note the coroner's verdict and will be taking his comments very seriously.

"We would like to reassure our patients that our approach to this type of operation has changed across the trust"