BRITAINDoctor is arrested over death of patient
BY PAUL WILKINSONA DOCTOR has been arrested after a three-year inquiry into the death of a man during a routine operation.
Dr Pravin Chaturbhai Patel, who worked at Shotley Bridge Hospital, in Consett, Co Durham, at the time of the surgery was held at his home in Harrow, northwest London, on suspicion of manslaughter. He was released on police bail.
A police investigation was begun in July 1997 after Andrew Ryan, 20, of Durham, a muscular dystrophy sufferer, died during what should have been a routine 15-minute circumcision. Dr Patel, 50, had administered four local anaesthetic injections.
At the inquest the North Durham Coroner recorded a verdict of misadventure. A post-mortem examination indicated death by natural causes, due to respiratory failure and heart problems. The inquest was told conflicting evidence about the amount of the anaesthetic, lignocaine, which was injected into Mr Ryan.
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