A MOTHER-of-four has been offered an unreserved apology after surgeons left a seven-inch set of forceps inside her.

Donna Bowett, a nurse who works in Worcester, went for a routine operation to remove her gall bladder but was discharged – unknown to her – with the metal surgical tool still in abdomen.

Safety standards have since been improved at the Alexandra Hospital, in Redditch, where the operation was carried out, according to Worcestershire Acute Hospital NHS Trust.

Ms Bowett, who lives in Redditch, has now launched legal action against the hospital after claiming she was left in agony following the medical blunder.

Speaking to a national newspaper, the 39-year-old told how she was left in “horrendous” pain after the operation last year.

The forceps were only revealed after she had an X-ray.

She said: “I still can’t believe it’s happened in this day and age.

“It might have damaged my internal organs.”

John Rostill, chief executive of the hospital trust, said: “We would like to apologise unreservedly to Ms Bowett for any pain or distress she has suffered.

“We strive to provide the safest, highest quality care possible for all our patients.

“In the 12 months since this extremely unusual incident we have taken a number of steps to further improve standards of safety.

“The matter is currently the subject of a claim brought by her solicitors and it would be inappropriate for us to comment further in those circumstances.”