Inquest into death of Pulham Market woman following varicose vein surgery

Posted 02/03/2015

An inquest is to be held tomorrow (3 March) into the death of a Pulham Market woman who died following varicose vein surgery.

Nicola Tweedy, 54, attended Norwich and Norfolk Hospital for day surgery on 27 March last year and was discharged that evening. But two days later, Mrs Tweedy was found apparently asleep in a chair. When she couldn’t be woken, an ambulance was called and paramedics administered CPR. In spite of the efforts of the paramedics, she died. The coroner’s office later confirmed that Mrs Tweedy had suffered a pulmonary embolism which was directly linked with her recent surgery.

Mrs Tweedy’s husband, Chris, claims the hospital was negligent and did not follow the NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) guidelines on dealing with patients who may potentially be at risk of blood clotting.

Mr Tweedy’s lawyer is Ashtons Legal medical negligence lawyer Sharon Allison. She says: “My client and his family are understandably devastated beyond words at their loss. ‘They have many questions relating to the hospital’s protocols concerning blood clotting risks and we will be assisting the coroner in her investigation to determine how Mrs Tweedy died.”

The hearing will be held at Norwich Coroner’s Court at 10am and Mr and Mrs Tweedy’s MP, Richard Bacon is expected to attend.