Tribunal starts after knee surgery death

A surgeon from Shropshire who performed a knee operation on a businessman who later died has appeared at a medical tribunal.

Professor James Richardson has been charged by the General Medical Council with failing to provide good clinical care after his patient Luigi Belcuore, 43, died during a clinical trial at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital in Oswestry in October 2009.

Professor Richardson appeared before a panel yesterday at the start of a two-week Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service hearing in Manchester.

The first evidence will be presented today.

Professor Richardson is said to have modified a Quixil device used to stop bleeding during surgery before Mr Belcuore underwent an operation on his knee.

An inquest on father-of-three Mr Belcuore held at Shrewsbury Magistrates Court last year ruled that he died from an air embolism caused by arthroscopic surgery.

The family of Mr Belcuore, from Morton Bagot, near Studley, Warwickshire, who was known as Louis, has since demanded a full investigation into his death.

Victoria Blankstone, of specialist law firm Irwin Mitchell, which is representing Mr Belcuore's family, said: "This was an appallingly tragic death which should never have happened.

"This week's GMC investigation into the conduct of the surgeon involved represents the final milestone for the family, who have been determined to seek justice for Louis."

At the time of the inquest officials at the Robert Jones & Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic and District Hospital NHS Trust said they had admitted legal liability for the incident and they had carried out their own investigation before referring the case to the GMC.

The hearing continues.