Patient on faulty table dies

A woman who had heart surgery on a wobbly operating table died three days later. The hospital has suspended all non-urgent heart operations while the equipment is investigated.

The surgeon at Derriford hospital in Plymouth had to ask other staff to hold the table steady during the operation last Thursday. The surgery was completed successfully, but the woman, who was in her sixties, later died.

Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust said there was no evidence to link the death with the incident, but it is investigating.

During an operation, equipment is attached to the table to monitor the health of the patient. Hospital managers said the table was bought for £50,000 in 1997 when the new cardiothoracic unit was opened and had been used for many operations without any problems.

The trust said: "Use of this type of operating table has been suspended in all three of the hospital's cardiothoracic theatres whilst an internal investigation takes place."

Fifteen NHS patients have had their surgery postponed and replacement theatre tables were due to arrive yesterday.

A hospital statement said Plymouth's coroner had been informed of the patient's deathand the circumstances had been "fully explained" to the patient's relatives. The woman has not been named because she has not been identified formally by her relatives. An inquest is due to open next week.