AN INCIDENT where a patient died as a result of an error that had been made during a hernia repair operation is being investigated.

The incident is one of two serious cases under investigation that was reported at the last meeting of Clinical Governance Committee of Preston Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, and Chorley and South Ribble NHS Trust on March 13.

Dame Pauline Fielding told the committee the patient's bowel had been perforated during suturing.

The other incident reported concerned a patient who received radiation to the wrong side of the body.

That particular case has been reported to the Radiological Protection Committee which is still investigating.

A spokesman for the Trusts refused to give any more details about the incidents.

The spokesman added: "Any patient who has been subject to an adverse event during treatment is always informed about what has happened.

"They are also informed of the outcome of the subsequent investigation."

Preston Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, and Chorley and South Ribble NHS Trust are currently awaiting the decision of their proposed merger.

If it gets the green light it may see a new single Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, in their place.