Surgeon says patient death preventable

A SURGEON whose patient bled to death hours after an operation has told a court how her death was preventable and he advised the family to contact a solicitor.

Michael Dixon, 53, was giving evidence for the second day at a fatal accident inquiry in Edinburgh Sheriff Court into the death of Marlene Wightman.

Mrs Wightman, 49, died in the Western General Hospital on March 23, 2006, a day after an operation to remove her left breast because of cancer.

Mr Dixon told the court previously that he had left the hospital at around 5.45pm, earlier than usual.

Mr Dixon said he had been "confused and distressed" that his patient had died. Asked if he had expressed any opinion about what had gone wrong, Mr Dixon replied: "I said had I been called this death was preventable. Something had gone wrong and it was preventable".

Asked if he had advised them to consult a solicitor, he said: "I was looking after their interests. I am a doctor trying to do the best for his patient and their relatives. I would do it again". The inquiry continues.