Husband waits for inquest conclusion (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Husband waits for inquest conclusion

12:03pm Thursday 1st June 2006

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Widower Arnel Cabrera, whose wife died giving birth at Swindon's Great Western Hospital, says he wants the inquest over so he can move on with his life.

Mayra Cabrera died two years ago after a powerful anaesthetic was injected in her arm instead of her spine.

Managers at the hospital, where Mrs Cabrera also worked as a nurse, admitted liability but have refused to comment on the case until after the inquest.

A post mortem examination found the heart attack she suffered after giving birth was caused by the anaesthetic being administered in the wrong place.

The drug labelled "for epidural use only" was fed through a drip into her arm.

A report says staff noticed the mistake shortly after her death on May 10, 2004, but Mr Cabrera, 37, of Eldene, says at the time it was put down to a very rare complication.

"This information came to light more than one year after it happened," Mr Cabrera said.

"It's disappointing that it took so long to find that out but at least there's some improvement."

Police have finished gathering evidence for the inquest and are waiting on an independent review of the information.

The results will be passed on to the Crown Prosecution Service, which will determine the extent of criminal liability, if any, of the individuals concerned or the hospital.

Hospital spokesman Chris Birdsall said: "We don't feel it's appropriate to comment on any details until the inquest has been heard.

"We have co-operated with all parties concerned and will continue to do so."

Mr Cabrera, whose son Zac is being looked after in the Philippines while he is here awaiting the inquest, said: "I'm just waiting for this thing to finish. "

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