‘Perfectionist’ surgeon hanged himself after he made minor mistake in operation

By Claire Ellicott
Last updated at 9:58 AM on 22nd June 2011


Alexander Reading was one of Britain's top orthopaedic and trauma surgeons
Alexander Reading was one of Britain's top orthopaedic and trauma surgeons
An eminent surgeon who hanged himself was 'plagued with guilt' after an operation he carried out went wrong, colleagues said yesterday.
Alexander Reading, 45, one of Britain's leading orthopaedic and trauma surgeons, was a 'perfectionist' who blamed himself for a minor clinical error during an operation, they said.
It is believed that the patient was left in a bad state following the operation and Mr Reading 'couldn't live with what he'd done'.
The surgeon's body was found suspended in the garage of his £700,000 home in the hamlet of Grafton Flyford, Worcestershire.
It is believed his devastated wife Sarah, a former nurse, discovered him and neighbours said they heard an 'almighty scream' on Wednesday morning at around that time.
Last night, friends described the father-of-two as a 'perfectionist' who had won awards for his pioneering work in hip replacement, but said he could not bear to make mistakes.
A colleague of Mr Reading, a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons, said: 'There are some strong rumours circulating that Alex was plagued with guilt over a patient's care.

'Apparently he felt responsible for a mistake during an operation which left the patient in a very poorly state.
'It's not clear what the mistake was or what happened to the patient but it must have been serious for Alex to do what he did.
'He and Sarah always seemed such a happy, loving couple. It's tragic what has happened and everyone is deeply upset.'
Mr Reading's body was found in the garage of his home in Grafton Flyford, Worcestershire
Mr Reading's body was found in the garage of his home in Grafton Flyford, Worcestershire
The General Medical Council (GMC) is not investigating his conduct.
Neighbours said that Mr Reading was a 'driven' man who put himself under huge pressure to succeed and took his mistakes very seriously, despite his exemplary record.
Last year he was awarded a level six in the Clinical Excellence Awards Scheme which recognises NHS consultants who perform 'over and above' the standard expected for their role.
One neighbour, who asked not to be named, said: 'My husband heard Sarah give an almighty scream just after 7am. It was obvious something terrible had happened.
'Soon after there were ambulances and police all over their driveway. My husband was told later by someone who knew Mr Reading that Sarah had found him hanging in the garage.'
He added: 'The word is that he was upset after messing up a patient's treatment.
Mr Reading worked at the Spire South Bank hospital in Worcester and the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch, Worcestershire (pictured)
Mr Reading worked at the Spire South Bank hospital in Worcester and the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch, Worcestershire (pictured)
'There is no suggestion that he was going to get into any trouble but he apparently felt responsible and clearly couldn't live with what he'd done.
'He was a perfectionist. He was a very driven man and the talk amongst the neighbours is that he put himself under so much pressure to succeed he took any mistake or setback very personally.
'By all accounts, he had a remarkably good life and a brilliant career. What has happened is tragic and we all feel so sorry for Sarah and their sons. The whole thing is a mess.'
A woman who answered the door at Mr Reading's family estate yesterday refused to comment on the reasons for the surgeon's suicide.
She said: 'I don't want to talk about that now. The family are in mourning.'
Mr Reading worked at the Spire South Bank hospital in Worcester and the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch, Worcestershire.
During his 21-year career he became a member of the GMC, British Medical Association, British Orthopaedic Association and the British Hip Society.
He also had a number of research papers published which helped prevent infections in hip-replacement patients.
While working at Leicester Royal Infirmary he led pioneering research into improving hip operations before being appointed consultant at Worcestershire NHS Trust in 2002.
Mr Reading led pioneering research at Leicester Royal Infirmary before joining Worcestershire NHS Trust in 2002
Mr Reading led pioneering research at Leicester Royal Infirmary before joining Worcestershire NHS Trust in 2002
Last night, Dr Stephen Digby, a colleague of Mr Reading's, said: 'Alex was well respected throughout the trust. He will be sorely missed by his many friends and colleagues.
'His knowledge and expertise will be a great loss, both to Worcestershire patients and to the other hospitals where he worked. Our thoughts are with Alex's family.'
As well as his NHS role, Mr Reading was also a partner of The Joint Clinic, a private treatment centre he owned with three other surgeons.
The clinic, in Droitwich, Worcestershire, was set up in 2003 and offers orthopaedic and spinal care to private patients.
Karie Burbeck, chief executive of the clinic, yesterday paid tribute to Dr Reading.
She said: 'The Joint Clinic is sad to announce the untimely death of our friend and colleague Alex Reading.
'Alex was an outstanding surgeon whose dedication and commitment to patients and colleagues was second to none.
'He was loved and respected by us all and will be deeply missed. Our thoughts are with his family.'
The General Medical Council confirmed there were no outstanding investigations or complaints regarding Mr Reading.
Mr Reading was a keen sportsman and spent his spare time coaching a local boy's football team.
On his profile on the hospital website he wrote: 'I am married with two sons and enjoy family life, golf and cricket.'
An inquest into his death was opened and adjourned on Monday.
He leaves his wife and their two young sons.