AN investigation into the conduct of the surgeon involved in the tragic death of Luigi Belcuore has begun.


The GMC (General Medical Council) is investigating surgeon professor James Richardson and the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service will hold a fitness to practise hearing following the death of Mr Belcuore, from Morton Bagot, near Studley, in 2009.


The business man, 43, underwent a relatively straightforward operation at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital in Oswestry.


However the surgery, part of a clinical trial, ended tragically when Mr Richardson injected air into his knee joint.


It caused an air embolism (air in the bloodstream) which led to a massive, fatal heart attack.

Just four weeks after Mr Belcuore’s death, his widow, Penny, discovered that she was expecting their third child.



The fitness to practice hearing against Mr Richardson, is currently taking place in Manchester.


Medical law experts at Irwin Mitchell, representing the Belcuore family, welcomed the decision.


Victoria Blankstone, from the firm, said: “An inquest into his death in March 2011 which recorded a narrative verdict provided the family with many of the answers they were searching for regarding what happened but they appreciate the need for a deeper investigation.


“The hospital trust has now admitted liability for the failings in his care in a civil case and this investigation into the conduct of the surgeon involved represents the final milestone for the family.


“This was an appallingly tragic death which should never have happened.”

Mrs Belcuore said: “Life without Luigi has at times been almost too much to bear but I have had to find the strength to carry on for the sake of our two daughters and our baby boy.


“He had so much energy – he loved his job which took him all over Europe, he enjoyed football and all kinds of sport, but most of all he loved spending time with his two daughters.

“The hardest thing of all is that both they, and the son he never got to see, will grow up without their dad.”

Mr Belcuore leaves behind two daughters aged four and six and a son, now aged two.

Wendy Farrington-Chadd, chief executive of The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust said: “It would be inappropriate for the trust to comment until the conclusion of the hearing, we will await the outcome.”