Patient dies following hernia operation

An inquest is due to take place on Tuesday 26th January to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of a 72 year old Northfield man who died following surgery at Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

Anthony Beard, a former engineering lecturer at Matthew Boulton College, underwent routine surgery for a hernia on 28 March 2009. He died in the hospital’s Critical Care Unit seventeen days later on 14 April 2009.

Birmingham Coroner, Aidan Cotter, will investigate during the one day hearing, the circumstances surrounding Mr Beard’s death. 

Mr Beard, known as Tony to family and friends, leaves behind his partner, Mary Simpson. The couple had been together for 40 years.

In addition to being a well respected local college lecturer, Mr Beard also undertook training for the disabled, the police force and prison services. He also worked for a local Magistrates Court dealing with planning issues and was a Liberal Democrat local council candidate for Newtown.

Victoria Blankstone, a medical negligence solicitor with law firm, Irwin Mitchell, who is representing Mr Beard’s family, said: “Both Tony’s partner, Mary, and his brother, Barrie, have found it incredibly difficult to come to terms with his sudden death.

“As well as being greatly missed by his family, he was a highly respected member of the community. Those who knew him described him as a ‘larger than life character’ a happy and sociable person with a good sense of humour who enjoyed living life to the full. His untimely death has had a devastating effect on all who knew him.

“His family very much hope that the inquest will shed light on the circumstances which led to Tony’s death.”