Woman Died After Enduring Months Of Ill Health Following A Hernia Operation

The mother of a woman who died four years ago after enduring months of pain caused by an unnecessary operation is seeking an apology after specialist lawyers concluded her case. 

Lisa Ann Parry, who had spina bifida, died aged 40 in August 2013 after enduring months of ill health following a hernia operation six months earlier, which was carried out at Glan Clwyd Hospital after she complained of problems with her permanent colostomy.

After the operation, Lisa suffered a range of problems including severe abdominal pain and vomiting and, as her condition worsened, she was placed in intensive care and then transferred to Walton Hospital for further treatment. After months of pain and illness – during which she also became quadriplegic - she passed away.

Following her death, Lisa’s mother Susan Williams instructed specialist medical negligence lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate the care she received and the team launched legal action regarding concerns that the hernia operation was unnecessary and not the cause of the original problems.

Now that the case has settled against Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board, Lisa’s loved ones are demanding an apology regarding the decision to operate and also evidence that lessons have been learned from Lisa’s death.

Ayse Ince, the specialist medical negligence solicitor at Irwin Mitchell who is representing Lisa’s family, said: 

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“This is an incredibly tragic case in which a patient went on to suffer months of horrific pain and medical complications as a result of surgery which simply should not have been carried out in the first place.

“Our client is understandably hugely distressed by what has happened across the past few years and is desperate for both an apology from the trust involved and also some acknowledgement that the problems faced by Lisa will simply never be repeated.

“While nothing can turn back the clock for Lisa, it is vital that the NHS demonstrates that steps have been taken to ensure lessons have been learned from this awful case.” Ayse Ince - Associate Solicitor

Lisa Ann Parry had been in good health despite her disabilities when she sought advice in May 2012 regarding erratic behaviour related to her colostomy bag. A specialist confirmed in a letter to her GP in August 2012 that a hernia operation was required and the procedure was undertaken in February 2013.

Her mother, Susan Williams, recalls: “You place a lot of trust in medical experts for obvious reasons so we were happy to proceed with what was recommended.

“However, after the operation Lisa was incredibly ill and more interventions were needed. It just seemed like that initial set off a chain of events from which she never recovered.”

As part of the legal claim, Irwin Mitchell argued following expert advice and that the pain Lisa originally endured was mostly likely related to pelvic and abdominal scar tissue that was caused by the unnecessary operation. The lawyers also stated post-operative problems were not addressed and there was a failure to undertake a CT scan to identify further issues.

Susan added: “It is every mother’s worst nightmare to see one of their children suffer in such a manner. To see Lisa’s health deteriorate across the months following the operation was truly devastated and something the family will never be able to come to terms with.

“While we are thankful that justice has been done, we remain massively concerned by the trust’s failure to either offer an apology regarding Lisa’s death or provide any reassurances that the concerns raised in her case have been acted upon.

“We just want to know that no one else will face what Lisa had to endure.”