A CORONER has called for a hospital trust to change the way it discharges patients after a man died following routine surgery.

Deputy Brighton and Hove Coroner Catharine Palmer said the symptoms felt by Jason Jarrett, such as tiredness and feverishness, may have alerted doctors to the internal bleeding that killed him.

The 36-year-old, from Hollingdean, Brighton, had a tube inserted into his abdomen at Royal Sussex County Hospital on June 8 to drain a dangerous build-up of fluid caused by liver cirrhosis, a relatively common procedure carried out under local anaesthetic.

He was discharged when the drain was finished and told to come back if he felt unwell or had undue pain.

However, he later collapsed at home and died of an abdominal haemorrhage, despite the efforts of paramedics to save him.

Mrs Palmer has asked Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust to produce a written discharge guide for patients after certain procedures.

Bleeding Giving evidence at Woodvale Coroner’s Court, Dr Khaleel Jamil said it was difficult to know what caused Mr Jarrett’s bleeding but it may have been related to the drain going in.

The gastroenterologist, who was present when the drain was inserted by another doctor, said the procedure had been carried out according to guidelines and internal bleeding was “very rare”. He said: “I am not sure there was much we could have foreseen or done to prevent this. It is very sad.”

Mr Jarrett suffered from severe anxiety as well as depression and alcoholism.

Angela Adams, his carer and partner of 12 years, questioned whether doctors should have kept him in hospital for closer monitoring.

The 35-year-old said after the inquest: “He was a lovely person, caring, friendly and would do anything to help anybody.

“He loved walking our dog, gardening, growing plants and just being out in the open.

“36 years is too young and he could have had so much more life to live.”

A trust spokesman said the coroner’s recommendation would be looked at and acted on if necessary.