Woman died after operation at Peterborough private hospital

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A 78-year-old woman died after an operation at a private hospital in Peterborough, an inquest hearing heard.  

Sheila Louth had undergone a hip replacement at the Fitzwilliam Hospital on September 30 last year – but her condition deteriorated. 

She died the next day.   

An inquest into her death was opened on Thursday (February 20) at Lawrence Court, in Huntingdon. 

Caroline Jones, an area coroner for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, led the brief hearing.  

She said: “It appears from the referral documents that Sheila had undergone a left total hip replacement due to osteoarthritis at the Fitzwilliam Hospital on September 30, 2024.  

“She sadly died a day later in the immediate post-operative period when she became unwell, deteriorated and suffered a cardiac arrest.” 

Ms Jones gave a provisional cause of death of 1A Post operative Cardiac Failure due to 1B Coronary Heart Disease.  

The hip replacement was given as a contributing factor. 

The inquest was adjourned and will be held at a later date.  

Ms Jones added: “I extend my condolences to the family of Sheila Louth.” 

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