Surgeon had to finish op by flashlight.

A HEALTH board is taking legal advice after a surgeon was forced to finish an operation by torchlight when contractors shut off the power.

Two operating theatres were affected when maintenance workers switched the power off at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh last month, meaning one patient was stitched up with only a torch shining.

It was understood that PFI provider Consort was to carry out planned maintenance work on the emergency power supply after surgery was finished, but switched off the power too early.

Alan Boyter, executive director of NHS Lothian, said: "We can no longer tolerate the repeated, serious and potentially life-threatening nature of these incidents by our PFI provider Consort."

Consort director Stephen Gordon said: "Consort has undertaken an investigation into this matter to review the operating procedures for works of this nature."

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Publication:	Birmingham Mail (England)
Date:	Apr 21, 2012
Words:	136
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Topics:	Surgeons