Family to sue over hospital death

Gerry Carter died at Llanelli's Prince Phillip Hospital

The family of a man who died at a west Wales hospital is to take legal action after an inquest concluded that neglect by doctors had contributed to his death.

Car mechanic Gerry Carter died during an operation at Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli in June 2001 after an artery burst.

Mrs Carter said she walked away from her husband

A verdict of death by natural causes, contributed to by neglect, was returned at the inquest.

Earlier in the case, Mr Carter's wife told the jury that she had to pleaded with doctors in the casualty department to admit him.

Amanda Carter, 39, claimed that doctors in the casualty unit had dismissed her husband's problems as a muscle spasm in his back.

She said they had also neglected to give him a further abdominal examination.

The jury heard that Mr Carter had been prescribed pain killers and staff had tried to send him home.

Mrs Carter revealed the family's intention to sue after the verdict on the steps of the coroner's court in Carmarthen.

"The truth surrounding this needless death has been clearly laid out by the coroner and expert witnesses called to investigate the facts," she said.

We will do it for justice not only for Gerry, but for everyone who depends in the NHS

Amanda Carter

"The jury has heard how serious assumptions and incomplete diagnosis by two GPs and doctors at the accident and emergency department of Prince Phillip hospital resulted in my husband's death.

"It is clear to all that Gerry was not given the chance to live.

"We'll be taking this verdict and those directly involved in Gerry's to the civil court," she added.

"We will do it for justice not only for Gerry, but for everyone who depends in the NHS.

"It has been a long hard struggle.

"Gerry was clearly ill and needlessly suffered," she said.

Satisfied

"There was a lack of care and I don't want it to happen to anyone else.

"I'm very happy with the verdict and we got the result we wanted today."

The inquest was held in Carmarthen Coroner's Court

A spokesperson for Carmarthenshire NHS Trust said that Mr Carter's death had been "a tragic and complex case".

"The trust would, once again, like to extend its condolences and sincere apologies to Mrs Carter.

"We have learnt lessons from dealing with this case.

"Following Mr Carter's death, an immediate investigation was carried out which resulted in a series of recommendations that have since been acted upon to try and prevent such a thing happening again."