NHS England issues safety warning after man's death in Essex

The death of Glen Edward Robert Jay at Broomfield Hospital in Essex has led to a formal warning regarding the medical procedure known as progressive preoperative pneumoperitoneum (PPP). Mr. Jay died on March 8, 2025, following complications from severe sepsis after undergoing surgery for a bowel obstruction.

Following an inquest, the Essex and Thurrock Coroner’s Service issued a Report to Prevent Future Deaths. The report raised concerns that PPP, a technique used to prepare patients for complex abdominal surgery by gradually introducing air into the abdominal cavity, may be unsafe for patients with a history of recurrent adhesive small bowel obstruction.

In response, NHS England announced it will issue a notice to chief medical officers and medical directors across all trusts. The notice mandates enhanced governance, including formal trust approval, detailed written protocols, and improved patient consent processes. Additionally, every patient considered for PPP must now undergo a multidisciplinary team meeting, and a history of acute small bowel obstruction will be treated as a “relative contraindication” for the procedure.