Patient died after second cancellation of operation
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A heart patient died from a coronary after his by-pass operation was cancelled for the second time, it was disclosed last night.
Joe Kelly, 65, was told twice the operation was being called off because of a shortage of intensive care beds at Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester.
He died at his home two days before he was due to go into hospital for a third time.
A hospital spokeswoman said last night: "The incident is being investigated fully. We made every effort to get Mr Kelly into Wythenshawe at the earliest opportunity. It was a clinical judgement that he be discharged on 15 December because of lack of available intensive care beds.
"The hospital was under particular pressure before Christmas. The intensive care unit was full of sick patients who could not be moved."
Mr Kelly was admitted to hospital on 15 December after an earlier operation was cancelled. "Joe even had a body shave for the operation," said his widow, Pauline, of Chorlton cum Hardy, Manchester.
"Then they said they were sending him home and he should come back again for the operation on December 19," she said. Mr Kelly died early on 17 December.
The hospital spokeswoman added that it was treating an increasing number of heart patients: "Last year we treated 200 more cardiac surgery patients than the previous year."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments