By Staff Reporter

Last updated 12:12, Wednesday, 04 June 2008

A distraught Cumbrian widow says her family has been ripped apart after her husband was subjected to unnecessary radical surgery.

John Turner and his wife, Margaret

Father-of-four John Turner, 61, had his right lung removed after doctors diagnosed cancer.

But a follow-up biopsy on the “diseased” lung showed he did not have cancer at all.

He died of bronchial pneumonia following the operation from which he never fully recovered and asbestosis caused by exposure to asbestos during his working life.

The former shipyard welder, from Pine Road, Barrow, spent the five months after the operation in and out of hospital and St Mary’s Hospice in Ulverston, before dying on June 4 last year.

An inquest at Barrow Town Hall heard Mr Turner had contacted his GP after suffering from chest pains and radical weight loss in mid-2006. His wife Margaret said he was referred to Furness General Hospital.

She said: “We were told he had mesothelioma [a cancerous tumour in the lung] and there was nothing they could do. They said he would have to have his right lung taken out, but that would extend his life by three years.”

FGH consultant in respiratory medicine, Mr Mohtassim Al-Jlbury, told the inquest he suspected asbestosis [lung disease caused by inhaling asbestos dust during his working life].

He said: “Tests showed mesothelioma was seen but not conclusive. He was sent to Blackpool for further tests on August 8. The results confirmed mesothelioma and I agreed he would be a good candidate for surgery as his left lung was okay.”

Dr James Johnson, consultant pathologist at Blackpool Royal Victoria, said he had never said Mr Turner had asbestosis.

He said: “I thought it was likely as I had seen similar cases. Someone misinterpreted what I said, I said it was consistent with, not that they had it. I won’t be using that term again. I regret the wording of that report.”

The court was told that, because of this diagnosis, surgery was set up to take place in Leicester by thoracic surgeon David Waller. But he said if he had seen the original pathology report, he would have asked for more tests be carried out before surgery because it was inconclusive.

Dr Helen Clayson, medical director of St Mary’s Hospice, said as well as the surgery, Mr Turner spent time with them believing he had cancer.

She said: “He was scared to go to sleep because he was scared of not waking up. He became convinced that the disease was spreading in his body. He was bordering on psychotic and may have had to be admitted as an emergency psychiatric patient.”

The hearing was told that at this point the doctors were aware that Mr Turner did not have and had never had cancer, but they failed to tell him or his family.

Deputy Coroner Alan Sharpe slammed the health trusts involved, saying a lack of communication led to the mix up, adding he would be writing to all involved to hopefully prevent such a thing happening again.

He said: “I think his status, although not a direct cause, did contribute to his death. I have heard the full effect that a lack of communication between doctors can have.

“He spent his last months in hospital or in a hospice and no cancer was found.

“I have decided to give a narrative verdict due to the complexities of the case. On balance I cannot give a verdict of misadventure.

“The operation was unnecessary according to Mr Wallen, but we don’t have evidence it led to his death.

“Mr John Turner died: a) as a result of bronchial pneumonia contributed to by the operation from which he never fully recovered, and b) from asbestosis caused by exposure to asbestos throughout his working life.”

Speaking after the inquest, Margaret Turner said despite the hearing, they were still at a loss to understand why and how it had happened.

She said: “It’s taken a year to get to this stage and still we don’t have answers, but we will get them in the end.

“Our whole family has been ripped apart and let down by this system. We are now leaving it in the hands of our solicitors.”