Death and radiation blunder 'not linked'

Lisa Norris, from Girvan, Ayrshire, died aged 16 in October 2006 from a type of brain cancer.

During her treatment at the Beatson Oncology Centre in Glasgow, she was given 19 radiation overdoses which left her with burns on her neck and head.

An inquiry into the circumstances of her death was due to begin at Glasgow Sheriff Court yesterday. But it did not go ahead after experts agreed there was no link between the accident and Lisa's death.

The centre has already taken steps to review and improve its systems, the court heard.

Area procurator fiscal Lesley Thomson said: "The medical experts, who are all in full possession of the facts and the initial differing opinions, have ultimately concluded that there is no causal link between the radiation overdose and Lisa's death."

Lisa was diagnosed with cancer in August 2005 and received radiotherapy treatment at the Beatson the following year.

An investigation revealed that an under-qualified and under-trained member of staff entered a wrong number on a form.

Lisa's father, Ken, did not want to comment directly yesterday, but his lawyer, Cameron Fyfe, said the family accepted that it was not appropriate for the inquiry to proceed.

He said the family would continue its civil action against NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, but would seek compensation only for the pain and suffering that Lisa went through as a result of the overdose, and not for her death.