A HEALTH travel company has been slammed by a coroner following the death of a mum-of-two from Birchwood.

Emma Morrissey died in July 2022 during a weight loss operation in Turkey.

It was ruled at an inquest last week that Emma died due to an internal bleed caused by the surgeon at the private hospital - an operation that was organised by Regenesis Health Travel.

Warrington Guardian: Coroner Devonish presided over the inquest into Emma's deathCoroner Devonish presided over the inquest into Emma's death (Image: Simply Photography)

Emma was admitted to the hospital in question, Private Termessos Hastanesi, for gastric sleeve surgery, in July after completing self-declaration forms sent to her by Regenesis.

An inquest heard that officials in Turkey told UK authorities that Emma's death was natural, despite Regenesis being informed that the bleeding was caused by an instrument wielded by the surgeon - Dr Umut Riza Gunduz.

It was also concluded by the independent pathologist that if Emma's bleeding had been stemmed correctly at the time then she 'would not have died.'

Now, Cheshire's senior coroner has slammed Regenesis, and the private hospital, for their conduct before - and after - Emma Morrissey's avoidable death.

Senior coroner Jacqueline Devonish has issued a Regulation 28 report, which relates to future action being taken to 'prevent future deaths.'

The report states Coroner Devonish's concerns as:

  • Regenesis relied on self-declaration forms, and did not conduct their own enquiries about whether Emma was fit for the gastric surgery
  • The questions asked on the self-declaration form(s) were unclear, and did not ask questions regarding family history - of which, Emma's family has a history of heart disease
  • There is no evidence that an investigation into her death took place in Turkey, or by Regenesis, despite Regenesis being informed that Emma's death had been caused by the surgeon during the operation
  • Work to preserve Emma's body was inadequate in Turkey, and presented a risk of decomposition - as well as health risks to UK professionals receiving her body
  • A surgery note provided to Regenesis by Termessos states that Emma's gastric sleeve procedure was halted; a post-mortem indicated that this was not the case, and the operation was carried out to completion
  • Emma's death was recorded by Turkish officials as natural - the inquest heard evidence to contrary, and her death was ruled as unnatural

Warrington Guardian: Emma was 44 years old when she died last summerEmma was 44 years old when she died last summer (Image: Supplied)

The senior coroner states in the report: "In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe you have the power to take such action."

The inquest, which was held at Cheshire Coroner's Court in Warrington on Thursday, August 31, heard that Regenesis Health Travel had a one-year contract with Termessos private hospital.

It was also explained that the contract was not terminated following Emma's death, but it ran its full course and later expired.

Regenesis Health Travel's website states its objective is: "To be a successful and exemplary organisation that respects human rights and ensures continuity among health institutions with its service quality."

The inquest heard that the director of the company does not have medical credentials.

When questioned by the Warrington Guardian about the findings of the inquest, Coroner Devonish's Regulation 28 report, and why the company did not terminate its contract with Termessos after Emma's death, Regenesis Health Travel did not respond.