A man who was suffered "horrific" pain after a 15-inch wire was left in his arm following surgery for a heart condition earlier this year has spoken of his upset over his follow up care, after learning that he had experienced what the NHS called a ‘never event’.

David Fortes, 75, was rushed to the Royal Cornwall Hospital on April 30, 2020, having suffered a second cardiac episode in just four months.

The following day he was taken into surgery for what is known as a Rotablation, during which incisions are made to both wrists, and a wire with a drill on the end is used to clear the blockage in the artery before a stent is inserted.

Despite some pain, discomfort and swelling in his arms following the operation, Mr Fortes, from Redruth, was under the impression that it had gone well, and as he was unable to have visitors due to the pandemic, he was pleased to be informed by his medical team that he was able to go home the next morning.

Mr Fortes said he was in horrific pain

Mr Fortes said he was in "horrific pain"

However, in the weeks that followed Mr Fortes’ left arm did not improve, and after some difficulty seeking medical advice he was told he may have suffered some tissue damage.

A further visit to his GP for an appointment, which took place through a car window, resulted in the same diagnosis, and he was advised to keep an eye on it, and to get back in touch if the symptoms continued.

On July 20, almost three months after his original surgery, he suffered a third cardiac event, and it was then that the cardiologist performing the procedure found the wire that had been left in his arm.

It was one of a series of 'never events' recorded by the Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust during 2020.

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Never events are described within the a recent NHS report as "serious, largely preventable patient safety incidents" that should not occur if healthcare providers have ‘implemented existing national guidance or safety recommendations’.

Speaking of his ordeal, Mr Fortes said that while he was "deeply aware and sympathetic" to the pressure that the NHS has been under throughout the pandemic, he was also "deeply distressed" by the lack of follow up care and compassion he had received.

He said: “When I underwent the surgery, I was very aware of the pressure that the NHS was under, and I was extremely grateful to my medical team for acting so quickly to treat my heart condition.

“However, when things started to go wrong during my recovery, and the pain I was experiencing was getting quite horrific, I found it very difficult to find someone who would take my concerns seriously, and despite multiple attempts to see someone I was simply fobbed off.

“It wasn’t until I was back in hospital again that a scan revealed the wire. By then, my arm was totally immobile. It was stiff, sore, swollen and I couldn’t use it for even the most basic of things. I dread to think what would have happened if it had been left in for any longer."

Mr Fortess arm where the wire was left

Mr Fortes's arm where the wire was left

The retired painter and decorator has now instructed medical law experts Simpson Millar to investigate the care he received, and whether more could have been done to prevent his injuries.

Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust’s medical director Dr Allister Grant said: “We would like to apologise to Mr Fortes who did not receive the high level of care we would have expected.

“In line with national requirements we have standard procedures in place to ensure people receive safe and high quality care in our hospitals, and we have worked closely with Mr Fortes to ensure all his concerns have been resolved. We have shared our report into what happened, and offered a meeting with a cardiologist of his choice.

“We want to understand what happened and we will improve our procedures and practices if we can, having listened to Mr Fortes and the team who cares for him. We are always here for Mr Fortes to speak with us."