Surgeon removes wrong part of patient’s brain
August 23rd, 2011 - 8:00 pm ICT by IANSLondon, Aug 23 (IANS) A surgeon in Britain removed the wrong part of his patient’s brain during a botched operation which was not even needed, a media report said Tuesday.
John Tunney, from Sutton Coldfield, underwent a biopsy on a pituitary tumour, but the blundering surgeon sliced off healthy brain tissue that led to a serious haemorrhage, Daily Mail reported.
Afterwards they found the tumour was benign, meaning that it could have been treated with tablets, it said.
Tunney has been left with permanent brain injuries, including memory loss and partial loss of sight, leaving him incapable of dealing with his own affairs. He also cannot walk without the aid of a stick.
University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust has now admitted liability for the mistakes, paving the way for Tunney to receive financial compensation for lifelong medical support, the newspaper said.
Tunney, now aged 63, had worked for the NHS for 23 years. He was based at West Midlands Ambulance Service’s Small Health ambulance station but his brain injury, April 29, 2008, left him unable to work.
His solicitor Timothy Deeming called for the General Medical Council to probe the conduct of the surgeon responsible.
“John’s brain injury has had devastating effects on him. Prior to the surgery he was a very easy going person who was always active and on the go,” the Mail quoted his wife Pamela, 64, as saying.
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Tags: 23 years, ambulance station, biopsy, brain injuries, brain injury, brain tissue, daily mail, financial compensation, general medical council, john tunney, medical support, memory loss, paving the way, pituitary tumour, solicitor, sutton coldfield, university hospitals coventry and warwickshire nhs trus, warwickshire, west midlands ambulance service, wife pamela