Malcolm Green death not result of neglect, coroner rules
A businessman who died after a cancer surgery received "less than optimum" care but it did not amount to neglect, a coroner has ruled.
Malcolm Green, 82, began bleeding internally after an operation surgery to remove a tumour at Withybush Hospital, Haverfordwest, in 2012.
But further surgery to treat the bleed was not carried out until the next day.
The Milford Haven inquest heard he died of natural causes not contributed to by neglect.
Sue Fish, medical director of Hywel Dda University Health Board, said it had accepted liability for Mr Green's death and was in discussions with the family about reaching a settlement.
Michael Howells, the assistant coroner for Pembrokeshire, delivered a narrative conclusion on Mr Green's death at a hearing on Thursday.
His cause of death was given as heart disease, but also as a result of surgery to remove a cancer tumour.
Mr Howells said staff at the hospital had now taken steps to rectify procedures.
The former car salesman had undergone surgery on 26 June to remove a tumour in his colon.
But his blood pressure dropped overnight and staff identified internal bleeding the following morning.
He was prepared for surgery at 10:00 BST, but the procedure did not get underway for another three hours, the hearing was told.
He died three days later after suffering multiple organ failure.