She died later that night in intensive care. When the tourniquet was released, Walker's blood pressure dropped and she had to be resuscitated. However on that day, McEwan did not conduct the procedure and another surgeon was operating. On 3 August 2010, Carmen Elizabeth Walker underwent an isolated limb infusion (ILI), where high doses of chemotherapy were washed through her lower leg to treat melanoma that had spread from her right ankle.Īt the time, the technique, using a pump to circulate the chemotherapy drug and a tourniquet to prevent the concentrated chemo from entering the rest of the body, was provided to the whole of New Zealand by Dr Christopher McEwan in Waikato Hospital's plastic surgery department. Instead, this is what happened in the aftermath that led to allegations of systemic failure at Waikato District Health Board and a "cover-up" that Te Whatu Ora Waikato denies. That tragedy will be dissected in a Hamilton courtroom during an inquest this month, almost exactly 13 years to the day after the 78-year-old's death following a cancer procedure that should have extended her life.īob Walker never got over his wife Carmen's death and when he had a stroke, son Craig found him on the lounge floor with her medical notes next to him. That was early 2015, four-and-a-half years after his wife and "soulmate" of 50 years died unexpectedly following a procedure at Waikato Hospital.īut this is not the story of how Carmen Walker died. He understood what I was saying."ĭays later Bob slipped away. "I remember telling him that we would get to the truth of what happened and get a correct cause of death recorded ," Lance Walker said. Natalie Akoorie examines the case.Īs Bob Walker lay dying in his hospital bed, unable to speak or move after a massive stroke, his son Lance held his hand and made a promise. Now, claims the circumstances surrounding Walker's death were "covered up" by the then Waikato District Health Board and the Health and Disability Commissioner have resurfaced. Photo: Stuart MunroĪn inquest into how Carmen Walker died following a procedure at Waikato Hospital is finally set to go ahead 13 years after her death. Carmen Walker's death at Waikato Hospital after a procedure for melanoma in August 2010 will be scrutinised by the Coroner when her inquest opens this month.
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