JUST days after a guide showed patients at Airedale Hospital were the most satisfied in the country, a widow called for a surgeon to be sacked after her husband died following a routine operation.

Susan Andrews' husband, Michael, who ran Premier Arms firearms in Cowling, died aged 56, on February 27, 2000, 30 days after his operation at the Steeton hospital.

This week Mrs Andrews, of Utley, was awarded an undisclosed sum in compensation following a ruling by a High Court judge sitting in Leeds.

Trust bosses elected not to file a defence against an accusation of neglect.

The hearing was held just days after Airedale NHS Trust was given a clean bill of health by the country's leading independent authority on healthcare quality, Dr Foster, in its Good Hospital Guide, published in the Sunday Times.

The report revealed the trust had the lowest mortality rate in the region and was among the top 10 in England. It also said staff were among the happiest in the country (a top 20 score) and confidence in doctors was in the top 30.

The A&E department received a mention as being one of the 15 cleanest across the board.

However the delight was tempered by the legal case against Airedale NHS Trust in respect of Mr Andrew's death.

An independent report said the Royal College of Surgeon rules, British Medical Council rules and NHS guidelines were all broken.

The hearing was told that the surgeon, Mr Raj Kapadia and a senior house officer, went on holiday after the operation. Mr Andrews was left with no senior medical cover, only junior staff and nurses to care for him.

The hearing was told that post-operative care was very poor.

He died of a massive cardiac arrest after suffering gross dehydration leading to hypervolemic/septic shock.

Mrs Andrews, who has complained to the General Medical Council, said: "Mr Kapadia should never be allowed to work in the health service again."