Dad calls for further investigation into son's death

Dad calls for further investigation into son’s death following routine operation.

The father of 34 year old Paul Hilton, who tragically died at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire after a routine operation on his nose, is calling for further investigations into the causes of his son’s death.

Paul, who had learning difficulties, died on October 28, 2003, after he had nasal surgery to correct a deviated septum.

An inquest into his death was resumed earlier this month at North Staffordshire Coroners Court, Hartshill, which found that death was a result of a recognised complication of surgery.

Paul’s father Robert Hilton, who lives in Stirchley, Telford, comments; “I am dissatisfied with the explanation I have received regarding the tragic death of my son Paul. Paul had learning difficulties; he was reliant on the care of others. There are questions I want answered. “Why was Paul allowed to give his own consent when he
was not able to understand what was going on? If the Hospital believed Paul had Sleep Apnoea why wasn't he tested and the condition confirmed before any surgery was contemplated. Why didn’t they monitor him properly after the surgery? I want the truth for my son”.

Witnesses told how after his operation he suffered breathing problems and died as hospital staff tried to resuscitate him.

At the time, Mr Hilton was a resident at Ashley House, a secure hospital at Ashley, near Market Drayton, after being sectioned under the Mental Health Act.

Three carers from Ashley House, who were staying with Mr Hilton while he was in hospital, said he was capable of having a conversation after the surgery. It was after he fell asleep that night that they noticed a problem.

A post mortem examination showed there had been a high amount of blood in his lungs when he died, which experts thought must have been haemorrhaged from where he had his operation.

Independent expert Professor Alan Aitkenhead, from Nottingham University, said Mr Hilton's sleep apnoea could have been made worse by the morphine he was given after the operation.

Mr Hilton has enlisted the help of clinical negligence specialists Lanyon Bowdler. His solicitor Emma Broomfield comments; “It is important that patients with disabilities receive a level of patient care proportionate to that of able minded individuals. We are concerned that Paul did not receive the level of care that he should have done either leading up to the surgery or afterwards. We are investigating the facts of this tragic death further to ensure that all that could have been done for Paul was done. Court proceedings have been issued in the County Court claiming damages for negligence against the NHS Trust”