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Coroner: Patient Denied Life-Saving Option
28 Aug
Summary
- Arthur Craig died after surgery he reportedly didn't want.
- Coroner found less invasive option was not offered.
- Failure to provide IV fluids noted as gross failure.
A 77-year-old grandfather, Arthur Craig, died on June 26, 2026, days after undergoing invasive intestinal surgery. An inquest concluded that Mr. Craig would have had a significantly better chance of survival if he had been offered a less intrusive surgical option, a defunctioning stoma, which was not presented to him.
Assistant coroner Gareth Jones stated that Mr. Craig, who was initially reluctant about surgery, was presented with a choice between a more invasive Hartmann's procedure or nothing at all. The coroner noted that the option of a defunctioning stoma should have been discussed, as he likely would have accepted it.
Further failures identified included the inadequate consideration of Mr. Craig's pre-existing heart conditions and a "gross failure" to administer IV fluids post-surgery, leading to dehydration and kidney failure. He was also placed on a general ward instead of a high dependency unit.
University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust has apologized for the failings in care and stated that improvements have been made since Mr. Craig's death in 2026, including enhanced staff training and informed consent processes.
