A NARRATIVE verdict has been recorded by the Worcestershire coroner after a man died a year after spinal surgery.

Eighty-year-old Harry Eaves died in April but he had been ill since 2008 when he had surgery on his spine.

At Mr Eaves’s inquest, Worcestershire coroner Geraint Williams said the wound from his spinal surgery did not heal and became infected.

Mr Eaves, of Alexander Avenue, Droitwich, was admitted to Worcestershire Royal Hospital for treatment but staff failed to notice he had an infection in his spine.

He was given general antibiotics, but “it was not until some time later that specifically-targeted antibiotics were used,” said Mr Williams.

There were then difficulties in feeding Mr Eaves and despite a feeding tube being inserted into his stomach his condition deteriorated and he died.