'I will never forgive what happened' - Widow of former NHS worker who died after exposure to asbestos

John Leach died earlier this year after scans were carried out once he had presented as an emergency case at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital. After medics sought specialist advice they revealed that he had a cancer related to asbestos.

Pensioner Mr Leach, of Belle Vue, had worked for the NHS in Shrewsbury in 'dusty, unprotected environments' including cleaning up at the scene of a devastating fire at Copthorne Hospital in 1974.

An inquest held on Thursday saw Professor Kootalai Srinivasan, who he was seeing privately, quizzed by his widow Sharon. Mrs Leach had been a nurse with a career stretching over 42 years.

Professor Srinivasan gave his condolences to the family when assistant coroner Heath Westerman allowed Mrs Leach to question him on the stand at Shropshire Coroner's Court.

The inquest was told that a scan taken of Mr Leach in April 2023 had been all clear.

And the court heard that the professor relied on that scan when he saw Mr Leach in November 2023, and January 2024.

“We wouldn't do scans on everybody who has a cough,” the professor said.

The inquest heard that Mr Leach's cough settled down after treatment and the professor discharged him with a course of treatment.

Four months later Mr Leach died following regular trips to his GP, the court heard.

Professor Srinivasan, who was seeing Mr Leach privately but also works in the NHS, said: “I do not treat private and NHS patients differently.

“I would not do tests if I did not feel they were clinically appropriate. It would be unethical and I wouldn't want to do that,” he said.

Mrs Leach said: “You and I have very different memories of consultations when I brought my husband to see you.

“He never got better, which is why I came to see you.