A CORONER is to write to hospital bosses after hearing of the `despicable and appalling' care given to a dying cancer patient.

John Pollard said he would contact the chief executive of Stepping Hill, Stockport, to highlight the treatment of retired teacher Patrick Barrett.

He recorded a verdict of misadventure at an inquest in Stockport after Mr Barrett's wife Phyllis, a qualified nurse, spoke out about her husband's care, calling it `appalling'.

Mr Barrett, 59, also known as Paddy, had emergency surgery for colon cancer in August last year.

He was a former head of religious education who worked at Barlow High School in Didsbury for more than 30 years and died in hospital one month after surgery.

He had peritonitis and septicaemia.

The hospital has now apologised for `some shortcomings' and said lessons have been learned.

Mrs Barrett, from Heaton Moor, Stockport, described visits to her husband, which included finding him stifling cries of pain, lying with blood-stained swabs on his bed, lying in a bed that needed changing, and vomiting and crying like a baby.

Mr Pollard said the level of care fell below that the public had a right to expect, although it was not responsible for Mr Barrett's death.