Marie Bell

On 7th August 2025 I commenced an Investigation into the death of Marie Bell, aged 58 years. The Investigation concluded at the end of the Inquest on 7th July 2026. 

The medical cause of death was confirmed as: –  Ia Faecal Peritonitis  Ib Latrogenic Small Bowel Perforation (operated) Ic Obstructing Sigmoid Bowel Cancer (operated) 

On 25 July 2025 Marie Bell underwent a procedure to remove a bowel obstruction. There were no noted complications within that surgery however it would appear that during the procedure the  diathermy implement has made contact with the small bowel causing a scorch and subsequent  perforation which was not noted during the surgery. This perforation was not noted until Marie  deteriorated on 27 July 2025 and despite surgery to repair the perforation on 28 July 2025 it was  unsurvivable and she died at hospital on 29 July 2025. 

I gave the following narrative conclusion: –  ‘On 25 July 2025 Marie Bell underwent a procedure to resolve a bowel obstruction. Unfortunately she suffered a perforation of her small bowel as a consequence of the surgery and went on to  develop faecal peritonitis resulting in her death on 29 July 2025.’

On 25 July 2025 Marie Bell underwent a procedure to remove a bowel obstruction. There were no noted complications within that surgery, however, it would appear that during the procedure the  diathermy implement had made contact with the small bowel causing a scorch and subsequent  perforation which was not noted during the surgery. This perforation was not noted until Marie  deteriorated on 27 July 2025 and, despite surgery to repair the perforation on 28 July 2025, it was  unsurvivable and she died at hospital on 29 July 2025. 

The obstruction was directly related to a tumour, located within Marie’s bowel, which had been  present in February 2025 when Marie had a positive FIT test, and therefore could have been  diagnosed earlier and surgery performed earlier. The reason for not diagnosing cancer in February  2025 is that Marie was physically unable to undergo a colonoscopy due to imminent hip surgery,  and the Screening Service deemed her to therefore be declining investigations rather than  identifying alternative methods of investigation. This did not make a difference to the outcome for Marie but may for others.

In my opinion unless action is taken to address the above concerns then there is a significant risk of future deaths, and I believe you have the power to take such action.