Man taking legal action against Surrey and Sussex NHS Trust

Renfried Avery died following a "gross failure to provide basic medical attention" after being treated by a controversial cancer doctor.

Today (January 3) his son Mark, 45, said he was taking legal action against the Surrey and Sussex NHS Trust after an inquest (quoted above) found his death was contributed to by neglect while in their care.

The work of Doctor Paul Miller — employed by the Trust as a consultant urologist at East Surrey Hospital when Renfried was a patient there — was referenced in particular.

Ten cancer patients including Renfried Avery died after receiving treatment by Miller who worked at the Redhill hospital at the time.

Paul Miller. Image: Family Handout/PA Wire

Miller and the NHS Trust were both criticised by a coroner at inquest over "professional jealousy" and "missed opportunities".

Senior coroner Penelope Schofield concluded that Renfried Avery's death aged 80 was of natural causes but contributed to by neglect.

Miller was sacked by East Surrey Hospital in 2014.

Discussing fresh the legal action on Friday, Avery said that he was sad to sue the NHS Trust rather than Miller directly.

"He apologised to me at the coroner's court and, to be honest, I do not accept it," Avery told the PA News Agency.

Avery added that Miller's apology was "hollow" and that he awaits the decision of the General Medical Council on the doctor's licence.

The Horsham man is seeking an apology from Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust and wants his legal costs for the inquests covered.

Avery said he was pleased that the outcome of the inquest had shown what he had long suspected about his father's death.

"Obviously I was pleased with the inquest outcome - finally some justice.

"Getting the coroner to see what myself and all the others had been struggling with for quite a number of years, that gave me some closure," he said.

Of her inquest's findings, Schofield said they "point to a gross failure to provide basic medical attention."

Dr Ed Cetti, medical director at Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, extended "sincere" apologies to Avery and said the Trust had since been "transformed".

"We extend our sympathies and sincere apologies to Mr Avery and the family and friends of all those involved," Dr Cetti said.

"We are sorry that historic poor practice led to some patients not receiving the standard of care they were entitled to expect.

"In the years since this period, we have worked hard to create the environment, systems and processes that ensure staff are supported to raise concerns, and that lessons are learnt and improvements made as a result."