THE widow of a man who died after a drugs trial has cautiously welcomed changes to information given to people at an Oxford hospital.

Karen Witney, whose husband Andy died in August after taking part in trials at the Churchill Hospital, has been campaigning for changes to the scheme’s system and for better information for patients about potential dangers and what to do.

Now the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals Trust has produced a leaflet for triallists.

Mr Witney died after a five-year battle with mesothelioma, an incurable cancer caused by exposure to asbestos.

But an inquest in Oxford heard the trial drugs the 56-year-old took at the Headington hospital may have accelerated his death.

The inquest heard that severe side effects experienced by the former Cowley car worker left him in agony, without the use of his lower legs and suffering uncontrollable diarrhoea.

He died 12 days later.

Mrs Witney said: “So many people suffer inadequate care within the NHS, not only patients but also dedicated nursing staff, due to poor management, an inability on the part of the decision makers to admit they are sometimes wrong, and the curtain of secrecy in which they like to cloak themselves when dealing with anything they find unpalatable, in the hope it will eventually disappear.

“I want to thank everyone at the Oxford Mail for the huge support they gave me at a time when I struggled to get up each morning let alone find the strength to battle with a pretty formidable opponent.

“I am extremely pleased that at last something concrete has appeared, but sadly a little sceptical as to how well the leaflet will be presented to trials patients.

“The reason for my scepticism is that this simple piece of paper has taken a ridiculously long time to produce and I feel it has been completed with some reluctance as I have been constantly fobbed off throughout this time.”

Mr Witney was diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2005, but survived longer than expected due to his age and fitness.

He embarked on three drug trials in a bid to extend his life in July 2009, after exhausting all other treatment options.

The first two were not successful, and the third, which he began on August 10 last year, caused his health to deteriorate rapidly.

Mrs Witney found her husband in hospital unclothed and covered in his own excrement and was forced to nurse him herself due to staff shortages. Drugs were also delivered late.

Prof Mark Middleton, clinical director of Oncology at the ORH apologised for the “shortcomings” in Mr Witney’s care.

He said: “The trust has recognised the need for improved communication with patients taking part in clinical trials and would like to thank Mrs Witney for her suggestions.

“The trust has expressed its sincere condolences to Mrs Witney and apologised for shortcomings identified in the care of her husband.

“The trust takes it very seriously when the standard of care provided to our patients is unsatisfactory and we take strenuous efforts to understand what went wrong and how similar experiences can be avoided.”