A family has spoken of its heartache after a father of four died following a routine operation which went tragically wrong at Abergavenny’s Nevill Hall Hospital.

The case can now be reported in full after the family’s five-year legal battle came to a close.

William Hopkins, 79, was admitted to Nevill Hall in June 2011 for an operation to replace his right knee.

The operation itself went well, and Mr Hopkins, described as a ‘jovial’ character by his loved ones, left the theatre in usual good spirits.

However, a bungled two-hour blood re-infusion triggered a devastating stroke, eventually ending his life.

His son, Gareth, said Mr Hopkins had decided to go through with the operation in a bid to get more mobile and ‘enjoy life’ after his beloved wife had passed away six months prior.

“He decided to go into hospital to put a positive slant on his life and try to get on with things, and become more mobile. Even after my mother passed away, he was very active - he loved going on holidays and his garden was his life.

“He was a jovial, very generous and kind-hearted man.”

Immediately after the re-infusion, Mr Hopkins complained he was feeling sick, was short of breath, and began to lose consciousness.

Doctors later discovered the family man had suffered a stroke, resulting in significant brain damage.

During months of worsening health, his mood and personality became deeply affected by the ordeal.

Mr Hopkins’ was survived by his three sons, two daughters and eleven grandchildren.

His family say she went from a well-mannered, caring and jovial gentleman, to aggressive and confused, as a consequence of the severe damage suffered to his brain’s frontal lobe.

Their lives were changed forever, as Mr Hopkins was unable to care for himself following the bungle.

Before the operation, William got around in his car and enjoyed gardening. He was a keen member of a bowls club.

His family struggled to cope with his increasing care needs, and were forced to place him in residential care.

Mr Hopkins eventually died in May 2014, three years after the injury which caused him to suffer recurrent bouts of pneumonia and ill health.

The hospital’s procedure for re-infusing his blood following the knee surgery was found to be in desperate need of review.

Investigations found that air had been present in the pressure bag and transfusion line which pumped air into his bloodstream. This was determined as the cause of his stroke.

A later probe by independent investigators found the nurse who carried out the procedure was unsuitably trained.

The Hopkins family approached a legal firm for help with investigating the cause of the stroke, and the ‘generally poor’ care he received during his many re-admissions.

His father’s death during the course of the legal action forced son Gareth to fight the claim against Aneurin Bevan University Health Board - the body responsible for Nevill Hall Hospital practice.

Kishma Bolaji, a solicitor from handlers Access Legal, said, “We were able to establish that the failure to properly prepare and carry out the blood transfusion was attributable to inadequate training of staff.

“The nurse who was tasked with the re-infusion was not suitably trained to do so.

“The rate of transfusion was also far too high and by allowing air to remain in the bag and the line the risk of a cardiac embolism was heightened, leading to the devastating consequences Mr Hopkins suffered.”

Expert medical evidence obtained by the firm suggested that prior to the routine procedure, vital steps were overlooked.

Flaws included air being trapped inside the transfusion equipment, and an incorrect pressure applied by the staff, leading to Mr Hopkins’ devastating stroke.

The health board later admitted liability and apologised for the standard of care Mr Hopkins received and paid compensation for their negligence.

“It took quite a long time for the health board to admit full liability. It was several years after their investigation had been completed,” said his son, Gareth.

“It was more about them admitting their liability. We just wanted closure and for them to put their hands up and admit it.

“Unfortunately, it took five years. The consequence of their actions destroyed him, and pretty much his family around him.”A spokesman for Aneurin Bevan University Health Board said, “We again sincerely apologise to the family of Mr Hopkins and our thoughts remain with them.“Following our own investigation, the equipment was checked and staff who use the equipment across the Health Board received the appropriate training. Also, a protocol was developed and shared with all staff involved in transfusions across the Health Board.“We can confirm there have been no similar incidents since this action was taken in 2011.”