A DEVASTATED father from Abbey Wood says he wants to sue two hospitals after his daughter died when her chemotherapy treatment for leukaemia went wrong.

Brenda Okeze, 17, of Overton Road, died from multi-organ failure on April 12 at the Royal Brompton Hospital.

Southwark Coroner's Court heard last week how she suffered a collapsed lung after a tube pierced her jugular vein at the Royal Marsden Hospital in Sutton, Surrey.

The Townley Grammar School for Girls pupil was rushed to the Royal Brompton Hospital for treatment to rectify the problem but her liver was torn during the procedure.

Days later she died in the hospital from multi-organ failure caused by multiple haemorrhages.

Her father, Jonathan, 57, says he has written to both hospitals threatening legal action.

Speaking to the News Shopper after the inquest, he said: "Two weeks before she died, Brenda was healthy and even went to a concert with friends.

"We are very sad she has died because she was a lively and friendly girl. We are angry with the doctors who inserted the tube into her lung and then accidentally tore her liver."

Brenda, who was studying economics, maths, psychology and business studies A-S levels, was diagnosed with acute myleoid leukaemia in April last year.

Michael Harrison, representing the family, told the inquest: "Their concern is it is not the leukaemia which killed her but the complication which arose from the management of the illness."

Recording a verdict of misadventure, coroner Dr Paul Knapman said: "Tragically, this girl of only 17 was found about a year before this event to have leukaemia.

"I think she has died as result of complications. There were interventionist complications and there is a risk associated with the insertion of various things."

The Royal Brompton Hospital and the Royal Marsden Hospital were unavailable for comment at the time of going to press.

July 9, 2002 12:00