Bethany - lessons need to be learned (From Swindon Advertiser)

Bethany - lessons need to be learned

4:59pm Friday 23rd November 2007

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BETHANY Bowen's father has said he has little faith that lessons will be learnt from his daughter's death.

Oxfordshire deputy coroner, Dr Richard Whittingham, recorded a narrative verdict at the inquest into the death of five-year-old Beth, of Cricklade.

She died during a splenectomy at the John Radcliffe hospital, in Oxford, last year.

The surgeons carrying out the procedure were using a morcellator - a bladed coring device - that they had not used before.

Her father, Richard Bowen said there needed to be an independent body to monitor training.

"Despite the admissions of the Trust prior to the Inquest hearing, we have little faith that lessons will be learned until there is an independent body that monitors surgical training in the NHS, with real power to punish those that don't abide by the rules," he said.

"The risks that were taken by the Trust during the operation on Bethany were simply incredible and the attitude of the Trust was truly appalling.

"Until the NHS is called to account for taking these risks they will simply go on killing our children."

Paul Rumley, a clinical negligence specialist from Withy King, who represented the family throughout the three-day inquest, said the Bowens were disappointed with the verdict.

"They still maintain that the operation performed on their beloved daughter Bethany was not the one they consented to.," he said.

"They still earnestly wish that the lessons from Bethany's tragic death are learned not just by this Trust, but by all hospitals and surgeons operating in this field.

"To that end, Withy King will now be pursuing a clinical negligence claim against Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust on behalf of Mr and Mrs Bowen.

"The Trust admitted, prior to the Inquest hearing, that it breached the required standard of skill and care in respect of Bethany's surgery and thereby caused her death."

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