Blundering surgeon back in theatre after removing wrong kidney from patient

May 11 2008 Exclusive by Lynn Mcpherson

A SURGEON who removed a healthy kidney from a cancer patient by mistake is being allowed to return to work.

Rizat Murat Gurun was suspended on full pay after the blunder left grandad John Heron fighting for life.

Gurun has also been blamed for botched surgery in which a woman died and accused of serious errors in a third operation.

After an NHS disciplinary hearing last month, the consultant "unreservedly accepted the significant contribution of his actions".

But Gurun has been allowed to return to his post at Crosshouse Hospital, Kilmarnock, after a final warning.

The decision to allow him back into theatre has outraged the families affected.

Cancer patient John Heron, 65, of Lugton, Ayrshire, had the wrong kidney removed by Gurun at Ayr Hospital in 2006 and needed a second op in London to save his life.

After hearing Gurun was returning to work John said: "I don't want to say too much as I'm in the middle of legal action but I could not believe it."

The decision has also sparked fury from other patients of the blundering surgeon.

The family of Margaret Scott, 59, plan to sue after an independent report found he should not have performed a kidney stone op while she had superbug MRSA. She developed blood poisoning and pneumonia and died three days later in June 2005.

Margaret's daughter Maryanne Tennant, 42, of Kilwinning, Ayrshire, said: "How can they let him back into a hospital? As far as I am concerned he took my mother's life."

Mary Coutts, 61, of Girvan, Ayrshire, suffered gangrene and lost part of her bowel after an electronic implant exploded during an op to seal blood vessels.

The mum-of-two says she warned Gurun of the implant which fought kidney infections. She now spends 10 days a month in hospital receiving intravenous antibiotics.

Mary said: "I really can't believe he's been allowed to return to work.

"Mr Heron's life must be changed and I just don't have one, thanks to him."

NHS Ayrshire & Arran chief executive Dr Wai-yin Hatton, said: "The panel decided that a first and final warning should be issued to Mr Gurun and also agreed that he will follow a return-to-work programme with conditions."

Gurun refused to comment.

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