A CORONER will hold a full inquest into the death of a 84-year-old whose condition deteriorated in the days after an operation at Colchester Hospital.

Area coroner for Essex, Sonia Hayes, opened the inquest into David Heffer last Thursday after he died last month aged 84.

Coroner’s officer Andy Flack told the inquest how Mr Heffer was admitted to Colchester Hospital on Monday, April 8, to undergo an operation to treat obstructive jaundice.

Mr Heffer was discharged shortly after the procedure, but was readmitted 24 hours later due to ill health.

The inquest was told Mr Heffer’s condition continued to deteriorate and he died on Saturday, April 13 – five days after the ECRP treatment.

ESNEFT pathologist Dr Yinka Fashedemi later conducted a post-mortem at Colchester Hospital and concluded Mr Heffer had died from septicaemia, acute hypertension, duodenal perforation, post-endoscopic retrograde pancreatitis, ischemic heart disease, and obstructive jaundice.

Coroner Sonia Hayes told the court: “Possible complications of a procedure contributed to Mr Heffer’s death.

“I will open an inquest and will adjourn it to April 27, 2025.

“I would like to offer the family my condolences on the death of Mr Heffer.”