Hendry to sue over wife's illness

Hendry (right) is preparing an action for damages

Former Scotland football captain Colin Hendry has announced that he intends to sue a surgeon after his wife became ill following cosmetic surgery.

Denise Hendry, 35, underwent a tummy tuck operation at the Broughton Private Hospital, near Preston in Lancashire, on 10 April.

Shortly afterwards she was transferred to the Royal Preston Hospital with septicaemia and fell into a coma and is now recovering in a ward at the hospital.

Mr Hendry, 36, who plays for Bolton Wanderers, confirmed that he is planning to bring a case for compensation against both Broughton Park Hospital and the surgeon, Gustaf Aniansson.

We have been instructed by Mr Hendry to begin formal investigations into her treatment with a view to bringing a claim for compensation

Stephen Jones, solicitor

Solicitors acting for the former Blackburn Rovers and Glasgow Rangers player said Mr Aniansson's treatment of Mrs Hendry had been referred to the General Medical Council by concerned surgeons at Royal Preston Hospital.

Stephen Jones, of Pannone and Partners, said: "At an interim hearing yesterday, the GMC decided not to suspend Mr Aniansson's registration.

"However, the GMC stresses that no substantive decision has yet been made in relation to the complaint, which will proceed through the usual channels."

The GMC refused to comment on the case but said that members of its interim orders committee were able to look at cases passed to the GMC for investigation.

High fever

If the committee decided not to suspend a doctor, it did not mean that no further action would be taken but that the committee had deemed it safe for the doctor to carry on practising while further inquiries took place.

Mr Jones said: "I can also confirm that we have been instructed by Mr Hendry to begin formal investigations into her treatment with a view to bringing a claim for compensation against both Broughton Park Hospital and Mr Aniansson."

Septicaemia can cause high fever and serious organ damage.

Mr Hendry lives with his wife and their four young children in Lytham St Anne's, in Lancashire.