A police investigation was launched after a 63-year-old Shropshire man died after an operation at Telford’s Princess Royal Hospital, an inquest heard today.

Mr Michael Gwynne, Telford and Wrekin coroner, called for the probe after an internal hospital inquiry highlighted concerns about Leslie Gordon Edward Needle’s post operative care.

Divorcee Mr Needle, a painter and decorator of Springfield, Nordley, Bridgnorth, underwent a bowel operation on July 17, 2006, and died in the post-operative intermediate care area at the hospital the next day.

A post mortem revealed that he died from bleeding and peritonitis due to perforated diverticula disease.

Mr Gwynne told the jury at today’s inquest that following the police investigation, the Crown Prosecution Service had decided no proceedings should be brought.

The court heard Mr Needle, who had a history of colitis, was admitted on July 11 2006, complaining of acute abdominal pain.

He was initially put on antibiotics and intravenous steroids and then a CT scan revealed he had diverticula disease and an associated abscess although there was no evidence of peritonitis.

He was operated on on the Monday, six days after his admission. His son Jason Needle, of Sunnymeade, Sutton Hill, Telford, said a nurse had told him they did not operate at the weekend.

But consultant vascular surgeon Mr Robert Duffield said they had the same level of emergency staff at the weekends as in the week.

He said Mr Needle had seemed to be improving on the Sunday, but his condition had deteriorated by the Monday and a second scan revealed he had peritonitis.

The inquest continues.