Bolton man died after suffering with cancer and back problems

Peter Bernard Harris, of Peel Street, Westhoughton, died at the Royal Bolton Hospital on November 4, 2019, aged 72, a two-day inquest into his death has heard.

Mr Harris, who had most recently been a property developer, had been diagnosed with cancer type lymphoma earlier in the year, which, along with strong chemotherapy, led to a deterioration in his health.

On the first day of the inquest, Tuesday, Bolton Coroner's Court was told his health was further complicated by spinal issues, which caused him severe back pain.

On Tuesday, statements and evidence from his daughter, Emmaline Harris, as well as medical practitioners who provided care for him at Royal Bolton and The Christie in Manchester, were read out.

Area coroner Peter Sigee read a statement from Emmaline who described her father as a “talkative, big-hearted, kind and generous man” and that he was “very intelligent and had a positive outlook on everything".

Emmaline went on to say how he enjoyed fly fishing, clay pigeon shooting and playing guitar, and how he had potential plans to move to Spain, as he enjoyed the warmer climate there.

READ MORE: Family pay tribute to ‘big-hearted’ man, inquest hears

The inquest heard how he had appointments at Royal Bolton and Salford Royal for his lymphoma as well as a longstanding back problem, and then chemotherapy at The Christie.

Emmaline went to visit him at his home and found him collapsed on the floor after triying to get himself to his bathroom on October 22, 2019 and was taken to the Royal Bolton.

His health deteriorated to the point where he died on November 4, 2019.

Pathologist at the Royal Bolton, Dr Ravindra Sawant, found Mr Harris’ medical cause of death to be bilateral bronchopneumonia caused by ischaemic heart disease, citing central nervous system lymphoma and the chemotherapy administered to treat it as contributing factors.

On Tuesday, the inquest heard that Emmaline had raised some questions about the standard of care her father received at the Royal Bolton following his admission.

She said how on October 24, 2019, her father had not been given the medication for his back pain which he had taken on a regular basis for the previous 20 years.

She said she questioned staff about it, but reported they said it was not on the medication list, despite Emmaline providing documentation stating his need for it.

As a result, it was said he missed two of his usual doses, which caused him to suffer unavoidable withdrawal symptoms.

She then gave details about her visit to him on October 29, 2019, having moved to a different ward two days before.

After speaking to staff on the ward on October 29, Emmaline found the remote control for her father’s spinal cord stimulator at the bottom of his washing bag.

She said she found out that when he had been transferred, the handover did not explain about the stimulator.

Steven Simpson, chief pharmacist at the Royal Bolton, gave evidence regarding hospital procedures when a patient comes in with their own medication.

He said: "Practice will vary, ideally medications will be assessed by the pharmacy team, who will make sure it's correct and reconcile."

He also highlighted how the combined medication that Mr Harris took for his back isn't available for inpatients at the Royal Bolton.

On Wednesday, Mr Sigee gave his findings after hearing all of the evidence.

He recognised the medical cause of death given by Dr Sawant the previous day.

Mr Sigee found that Mr Harris’ death was “caused by a natural disease process, bilateral bronchopneumonia due to ischaemic heart disease, and was contributed to by the progressing central nervous system lymphoma and its chemotherapy, which was necessary life-maintaining treatment".

Providing a narrative conclusion as to the cause of Mr Harris’ death, the coroner said: “Mr Harris’ death was caused by a natural disease process and it was contributed to by the recognised risks of necessary life-maintaining treatment.”

He offered his condolences to Mr Harris' family, thanking them and all the witnesses who were present and gave evidence, as well as praising everyone who provided care to Mr Harris.