The family of a former Nottingham nurse are seeking legal action after an inquest linked her death to asbestos exposure while working at a hospital. Lynne Woodward died aged 65 in March last year from a type of mesothelioma, a cancer commonly caused by exposure to asbestos.
An inquest held at Derby Coroners' Court in May recorded a conclusion of industrial death, noting "on the balance of probabilities the exposure was occupational whilst working as a nurse". Ms Woodward, originally from Skegby, worked at Nottingham General Hospital from 1975 to 1978.
Her family said she believed she was exposed to asbestos in the service tunnels and basement areas of the hospital, which she walked through several times a day. The hospital closed in 1992 after its services were transferred to Queen's Medical Centre.
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Ms Woodward's widower, Kevin Morrell, 69, encouraged others to consider whether they may have been exposed. "It can take up to 40 years to manifest itself - that's why people need to look back in their history to see if they were contaminated with it when they were quite young," he told Nottinghamshire Live.
"It's such an incurable disease that people should be aware of how dangerous it is to work in an environment that is effected by asbestos. It's ironic that many hospitals have used this substance." Mr Morrell, of Belper, was with Ms Woodward for 15 years and described her as a "very easy-going, friendly" woman.
"She had ovarian cancer when she was 13 so she lost the ability to have children, but nonetheless she loved other people's children - she had step-children and grandchildren. She loved outdoor life - she was interested in nature and her funeral was based around daffodils which were her favourite."
Ms Woodward suffered a "long, painful battle" with peritoneal mesothelioma. Despite undergoing surgery at Basingstoke Hospital in 2021, her condition worsened before she eventually died at died at Derby Royal Hospital on March 23 last year.
Leigh Day Solicitors are seeking action against the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care over Ms Woodward's death. Helen Ashton, partner in the asbestos team, said: "We are asking for anyone who worked on the maintenance team or any porters from the hospital who remember the service tunnels and ducts and can remember the lagged pipework, or did any work on the pipes, to come forward with information to help the case against the defendant, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.
"Any relevant information will help support Lynne's family's legal claim and help provide for their future." The Department for Health and Social Care and NHS England have been approached for comment.
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