AN investigation into the deaths of four Nottingham hospital heart patients from a killer bug is not expected to be completed until early next year.

They died from infections after surgery to fit prosthetic heart valves at the City Hospital's Trent Cardiac Centre.

A surgeon who operated on all the affected patients has since been stopped from performing similar procedures and other operations.

An investigation panel is trying to find out what caused the patients to become ill.

Dr Stephen Fowlie, Medical Director at Nottingham University Hospitals Trust, said: "We have written to this group of patients or relatives on two occasions to keep them informed of progress.

"We have also offered patients and relatives an open invitation to meet with senior colleagues at the trust so we can answer any questions they may have.

"Some have already taken up the invitation with phone calls or face-to-face meetings with us."

Hospital officials have contacted 28 patients who had the operation between last December and July this year .

The bug – a staphylococcus – causes a bloodstream infection which leads to inflammation around the heart valve.

One patient,Thomas Cooper, of Long Eaton, died of blood poisoning in May while in hospital in Derby.

The 82-year-old, described as fit and active, never fully recovered after being operated on in December.

Dr Fowlie said one patient from the group of 28 has now had to undergo a further operation and one patient has required antibiotic treatment.

Three other patients remain ill and are being closely monitored.

The surgeon is still not operating and a locum who is already at the hospital has taken on the case load.

A hospital spokesman said no operations were cancelled and very few operations were rescheduled and this was by a few days only.

Dr Fowlie said: "We will continue to work closely with patients and relatives and keep them informed of any progress over the coming months."

tanya.holden@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk