A WOMAN died of an allergic reaction to anaesthetic after slipping into a six-month coma because of an NHS administrative blunder.

Doctors were unaware that 36-year-old June Fairbairn had severe allergies to a range of anaesthetic drugs because notes containing her full medical history failed to arrive before she underwent an operation.

At her inquest on Tuesday, North Durham Coroner Andrew Tweddle condemned the administrative system as inadequate, adding: "It is astounding. Had the doctor seen the notes I am pretty sure that we wouldn't be here today. We are talking about people's health and their lives and the public expect the highest possible level of care.

"It does surprise me that a system does exist where there are several days, and in this case weeks, when the paperwork is not available.

"To have been let down by the system is in my view unacceptable. It is a tragic case."

Mrs Fairbairn, of Green Street, Leadgate, was given a general anaesthetic before she was due to undergo a throat biopsy at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle.

The housewife suffered a heart attack before slipping into a six-month coma. She died on May 15 last year as a result of pneumonia brought on by brain damage.

But key information about her past allergic problems with anaesthetics was not sent to the Newcastle doctors from Shotley Bridge Hospital, the inquest in Chester-le-Street was told.

"Critically, failures in the system meant the paperwork was not sent until it had been subsequently asked for," said Mr Tweddle. "It is not my responsibility to say who is to blame. If there has been negligence, it has to be apportioned by someone else.

"I am making an adverse comment that the system in place was inadequate."

The inquest heard administrative procedures that led to the absence of thorough medical notes had now been changed.

A Newcastle-upon-Tyne NHS Trust spokesman expressed its sympathy to the Fairbairn family. He said Mrs Fairbairn's death resulted from a severe allergic reaction to the anaesthetic.

"There has been a thorough investigation by the trust," he said. "The coroner acknowledged that various changes had been made to improve systems when cases are referred to the trust from other hospitals."

Mrs Fairbairn was referred to the Freeman Hospital on October 2, 2003, after a specialist suspected she might be suffering from throat cancer.

The inquest was told she had smoked more than 20 cigarettes a day and had started smoking at the age of six. She also suffered from obesity, epilepsy and had been treated for tuberculosis.

An appointment was made for her to have a biopsy at the Freeman Hospital to test for malignancy and she was admitted on October 23, 2003.

Following an interview with consultant anaesthetist Dr Michael Weaver she was taken to the operating theatre.

A spokesman for the Fairbairns' legal team said: "The family hopes and expects to get an apology and appropriate compensation.

"The family has been very pleased to hear the very strong criticism of the system, which resulted in the relevant hospital and GP notes not being put before the anaesthetist prior to the operation."

Her husband, John Fairbairn, told the inquest of his last moments with his wife. "I told her she had nothing to worry about because they had got her records and thought they knew all about her past," he said. "I gave her a kiss and told her everything was going to be okay. It still haunts me today."

A verdict of misadventure was recorded.