A DAD of three died after being sent home after a knee replacement operation he underwent at a Midland hospital, an inquest heard.

Retired civil engineer Barry Harris, from Burntwood, fatally suffered a bowel obstruction three days after being discharged from Queen’s Hospital, Burton upon Trent.

Relatives of the 68-year-old grandad-of-one told Staffordshire Coroner’s Court they had repeatedly raised concerns about Mr Harris’ state of health to doctors and nurses.

Despite suffering a swollen stomach and being unable to go to the toilet for nine days after surgery, doctors said Mr Harris’ condition would improve naturally and sent him home, his widow Valerie Harris, aged 68, told the inquest yesterday.

Three days later, on October 23 last year, Mr Harris collapsed at home and paramedics were unable to resuscitate him.

Evidence at the inquest also heard Doctor Terance Hollingworth say on the balance of probability the patient suffered a twisted lower intestine that was not related to surgery.

Assistant deputy coroner for Staffordshire, Louise McCabe, recorded a verdict of death by natural causes.

Mrs Harris, who was married to her huisband for 46 years, and is launching legal action against hospital bosses, said: “The family has been devastated by what has happened. Barry was the centre of our family and I cannot come to terms with the way he died. I’m so angry about the care Barry received. He put his trust in those doctors and they let him down very badly.