Inquest opens into death of Rustington man after surgery at Worthing Hospital

An inquest has opened into the death of a Rustington man who died following a surgical procedure at Worthing Hospital.

Woodvale Coroner’s Court in Brighton heard that Ian Mark Newman, 68, died on 22 July 2025 after being admitted to hospital with three weeks of diarrhoea. The retired delivery driver underwent a laparoscopy on 15 July and subsequently went into cardiogenic shock, a condition where the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs.

A laparoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure allowing doctors to examine organs inside the abdomen or pelvis. The court heard that Mr Newman’s condition deteriorated following the operation, and he died a week later. A provisional cause of death was recorded as spontaneous bowel obstruction, with exploratory laparoscopy listed as a secondary factor.

Coroner Lisa Milner said there was a possibility the procedure may have more than minimally contributed to Mr Newman’s death. The inquest was adjourned, with a full hearing scheduled for 16 December 2025 in Horsham.