THE family of an Abergavenny man have spoken of their heartache after a blood transfusion went tragically wrong.

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board has apologised to the family and has said that, following their investigation, the equipment was checked and staff were appropriately trained.

William Hopkins, then 79, was admitted to Nevill Hall Hospital in Abergavenny in June 2011 for a knee replacement operation.

His son Gareth, of Blaen Cendl, in Beaufort, said that the surgery went well and he came out of the operation “happy and juvenile”.

However, Gareth said that, in the evening, doctors decided to give his father a transfusion of his own blood and that, during the process, his father complained about feeling sick and became unconscious.

“We later discovered he had a stroke, resulting in brain damage and paralysis of the left side of his body,” he said.

Gareth said that, since that moment, his personality changed and he became aggressive and even violent at times.

“That was so out of character for him,” he said. “We did try to nurse him at home first, but it got too much.”

Gareth said that they had to resort to finding his father a residential home. However, they had to try three different ones until they found one that could care for his dad's needs.

“They couldn’t cope with his behaviour,” he said. “When my dad passed away in May 2014, he wasn’t my dad.

“He was a totally different person.”

Gareth said that his father became confused, withdrawn and very emotional.

He said: “The brain damage affected him so badly, it was really difficult.

“As a family, we feel bitter towards Aneurin Bevan University Health Board.

“No matter how many times they apologise, it’s hard.

“It has caused a lot of upset.”

Gareth said that they have opened up about what happened in the hope it’ll never happen to anyone else.

The family put in a claim against Aneurin Bevan University Health Board for the way their father was treated and have won an undisclosed sum to compensate them for the loss.

The solicitor who handled the case, Kishma Bolaji, from Access Legal, said: “In this case we were able to establish that the failure to properly prepare and carry out the blood transfusion was attributable to inadequate training of staff."

An Aneurin Bevan University Health Board spokeswoman said: “We again sincerely apologise to the family of Mr Hopkins and our thoughts remain with them.

“Following our own investigation, the equipment was checked and staff who use the equipment across the Health Board received the appropriate training. Also, a protocol was developed and shared with all staff involved in transfusions across the Health Board.

“We can confirm there have been no similar incidents since this action was taken in 2011.”