Freeths and Ropewalk Chambers instructed on multiple deaths at Nottingham Hospital

The Nottinghamshire Coroner has ordered that an inquest is to be held later this year into the deaths of four patients who underwent procedures conducted by the same gastroenterologist. All four deaths occurred between April and November 2020 following endoscopic procedures carried out at Queen’s Medical Centre Hospital (part of Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust).

The gastroenterologist, Dr Muthuram Rajaram, who qualified as a doctor in 2001, completed his gastroenterological training on 1st March 2020 and took up an appointment as a locum consultant at the Queen’s Medical Centre the following day. Each of the four patients died following complications which arose from Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), an endoscopic technique which involves the passing of a tube down the patient’s throat and into the biliary and/or pancreatic ducts.

The procedure is used to diagnose and treat conditions such as gallstones. Known complications include pancreatitis and tears to the oesophagus and duodenum.

Speaking following a pre-inquest review held on 21^st April 2021 during which Assistant Coroner Laurinder Bower heard representations on behalf of the bereaved families from experienced clinical negligence counsel Alexandra Pountney of Ropewalk Chambers, Phil McGough of Freeths solicitors who represents three of the families said, “Four grieving families have been left without their loved ones and in need of urgent answers following these terrible events.

Our clients want us to help them to find out exactly what happened, and to see if there are lessons to be learnt here to make sure something like this never occurs again.”

For more information about these cases, or if you or your family are concerned about the medical care a loved one has received in any circumstances, please contact Phil McGough of Freeths Solicitors clinical negligence team in Nottingham on 07973 875 404 or [email protected]