Doctor in dock over routine op death

Smiling and dressed in a bright suit, anaesthetist Dr Priya Ramnath arrives at court to face a charge of manslaughter.

Ramnath, aged 39, is facing a charge of manslaughter following the death of 51-year-old Patricia Leighton, of Dewsbury Drive, Burntwood in 1998.

Mrs Leighton was at Stafford Hospital to undergo a routine procedure to have an infected bunion removed. It is alleged Ramnath injected Mrs Leighton with a lethal dose of adrenalin – against the advice of more senior medical staff at the hospital.

Mrs Leighton suffered a heart attack and died.

Ramnath appeared at Wolverhampton Crown Court yesterday, where the case was adjourned until later in the year. She was not invited to enter a plea.

The hearing, in front of Mr Justice Goldring, lasted around an hour while administrative and legal matters were dealt with.

She was given conditional bail and the case was adjourned until later in the year.