Routine operation death examined

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Police are investigating the death of a woman after routine neurosurgery at a hospital in Nottingham.

The 36-year-old patient underwent a spine operation at the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham last Thursday.

She died the following day. At first her death was attributed to an allergic reaction, but now it is said to be unexplained, prompting other inquiries.

Four other recent operations in the same theatre, in which patients became ill, are also being investigated.

The patients in question became ill during surgery since 24 October and have all since recovered.

Assurance to patients

The theatre has been sealed off while the police investigation is carried out.

The Department of Health and the Health and Safety Executive have also started investigations.

In a statement the hospital said the dead patient's condition "had deteriorated in a very marked and unexpected way during surgery", prompting inquiries to see if any other patients had experienced similar problems.

It said no other patients or operating theatres on the Queen's Medical Centre or City Hospital campuses were involved and additional safety procedures had been introduced.

Neurosurgical operations were being restricted on Monday with emergency neurosurgery starting again on Tuesday in a different theatre.

The hospital emphasised it wanted to reassure all patients and their families that it is confident the exceptional safety checks and additional measures introduced would ensure the safety of patients.

A Nottinghamshire Police spokeswoman confirmed the force was investigating the death.