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An Abbots couple have called on the help of their local MP as they seek an explanation from the NHS over the failed operation of their son which resulted in further surgery. My Abbots reported on the traumatic ordeal that five-year-old Jack Del Greco went through back in our June issue after he was rushed to hospital to have an orchidopex, which is a procedure in which a boy's undescended testicles are surgically pulled from the abdomen down into the scrotum. Following the operation, the surgeon who carried out the operation told Paul and Anita that Jack had two incisions, one on his lower side, which had been closed by dissolvable stitches, and the other under his scrotum, which had been glued. The surgery had not worked, as Jack was rushed back to hospital later the same day after Anita had found the wound had opened up. A letter from the West Herts Hospitals said sutures were used in the first operation and not glue, and also stated Jack would have been regularly checked following the operation. Naturally, the couple want an explanation as to what actually happened. The matter has now been referred to the NHS Litigation Authority who have said that Jack was stitched and not glued, and claimed they have proof.

"I’ve heard from other sources that the mistake could make him infertile, and they claim they told me this before the first operation. They never told me that,” said Anita. What Anita and Paul are annoyed about is that they are being told the first operation used stitches, when the surgeon who carried out the second operation told her the glue must have failed.

“We’re now being told stitches were used for the first operation. If that’s the case, there would have been some remnants when it burst open, there were none.” Anita wrote to complain and was offered a meeting, but was not allowed to have anyone with legal or medical knowledge present. For this reason, the couple declined.

When the case was referred to the NHS Litigation Authority, Anita wrote to them and received a response five months later, claiming they had proof stitches were used for the first operation. Anita also queried Jack having two general anaesthetics so close together as she feared it could leave him with possible asthma; they said it would never infect him. She also queried the level of care he received n the day care unit. “They claimed he was regularly checked and state they have statements from nurses claiming he was checked regularly. He was never checked and I know they were ringing round trying to get staff on that day. “I’ve asked whether they are going to check people on a regular basis on the day care ward and they said they do. They don’t.” The couple have now sent all the documentation off to Watford MP Claire Ward and told her that this should not be happening. Within 48 hours the couple had received a reply from her secretary, and then a written letter from MP Ward herself, which also included a permission slip for her to carry out her own investigation. “She was very interested and wanted permission to contact the hospital and get all the information she required.” The couple have asked for a reinvestigation and want proof that Jack was checked and why he required the second emergency surgery. I’m willing to fight this, even if I’m still fighting in 20 years time. They can’t treat people like this. There were four or five children on that ward, and not one of them were checked.” So what would the ideal outcome be? “The ideal outcome for me would be an answer as to why it happened. I’m concerned that this has happened and it shouldn’t. Is this the future of our hospitals?” Jack has recovered well from his ordeal, but he will not go to the toilet on his own anymore after his surgery. Anita and My Abbots would be interested to hear from the parents of the children who were on the ward at the same time as Jack that had the same, or similar, operation. We would also be interested to hear from anyone whose child had the same surgery and problems at Watford General Hospital Contact us at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

When My Abbots spent a day patrolling the streets with the Police Community SupportOfficers of Abbots Langley, one thing that was highlighted to us was the dangerous driving which takes place in various parts of the village. A new road safety crackdown in the area will target these dangerous drivers, with police and PCSO’s looking to stamp out the problem in the village. The problem seems to revolve around the areas of Bedmond, Kings Langley and Abbots Langley. When My Abbots went out with the PCSO’s,

Bedmond Road was one place that the PCSO’s told us that was a problem for cars speeding and using their mobile phones. Police Community Support Officer John Diaz told My Abbots: “One of the things we have real problems with is people driving with no seat belts and talking on mobile phones.

“What we as PCSO’s are trying to do is educate people and give advice as to why they should not be doing this. We can issue a Section 59 in some cases, or we may go to their house and make them aware of what they have done.”

Be warned then Abbots drivers. Wear your seatbelt, don’t chat on your mobile while driving, and keep your speed down.

Following the departure of Janice Dawes in September, the Parish Council had a tough decision to make, who would be the next Clerk to the Council? With a number of applications received, it’s almost certain the panel that made the final decision will have had to go through each CV and covering letter with a fine tooth comb. But one man came out on top, and that man was father of three Tim Perkins. On meeting Tim for the first time, he comes across as a people person. His hand shake is firm, his voice is clear and well mannered, and his dress is smart and presentable. He shows me into his office, and as I lose my jacket, he does the same thing. I told him before the interview started that I like to keep my chats informal, and on hearing this, he rests his arm on his chair and slouches a little to get comfortable. He is ready for my questions and I am ready for his answers. “I’m settling in well,” he tells me as he takes a sip of his tea. “It has been an interesting challenge with a lot to grasp in a short space of time. The council are very ambitious and there is a lot of enthusiasm.” Tim spent 30 years working in global high technology industries all around the world, working as Operations Director for General Electric, as well as other well known companies in the industry, working in as many as 60 countries. So why having worked all over the world, would Tim want such a drastic change as working in a small Village? “It was a serious decision. I’d had enough of what I was doing and it comes a time when the pressures of trying to achieve high customer service levels with reducing cost budgets becomes the same old story in other companies, and I needed a change. “I looked at roles in local government and the job of Clerk came up and it looked interesting.”

As the interview goes on, Tim becomes more relaxed as he tells me about what he can bring to the council, while I also learn he was a school governor at St Michael’s Catholic High School in Garston. “I think the council looked at my people skills and the amount of management experience I have and probably thought I was a good candidate.” For those who don’t know what a Clerk does, Tim is essentially the senior officer of the council, over seeing the day-to-day running of the staff, facilities and services it provides. In the five weeks he has been in the position, Tim feels he has built up a good rapport with his fellow workers, while also wants to be seen as a good team leader, providing good quality services to the community. “I’ve learnt an awful lot, and there are all kind of interesting challenges, like finance and how we deliver the best value in services.” Tim has already had dealings with the local residents, and is starting to get to know more people across the area, with the hope that he will get to know more during his time in the position. “My door is very much open, and if anyone wants to contact me they can always give me a call, email or come in and talk to me.”

To contact Tim, call the council offices on 01923 260462.

A local man sadly collapsed and died last month despite the brave attempts of two local dental surgeons who tried to resuscitate him on Abbots High Street. Des Evans and Richard Colin, who both work at the Abbots Langley Dental Practice on Abbots Road, were walking to their place of work when they saw a small crowd of people   surrounding a man on the floor at around 7.50am. Richard told My Abbots: “There were two people next to this man on the pavement and when my colleague and I approached him, we noticed it was one of our patients.” Richard and Des are trained for situations like this, having had basic CPR  training on a yearly basis.  The dental practice actually has its own defibrillator, which Richard rushed up to grab in an attempt to try and save  the man’s life.  One of the passers by who was with the man called 999 and talked to the operator while the two surgeons tried to resuscitate the ill man. He said: “We’ve had the defibrillator about three years despite it not being compulsory.  We worked on him for about 5-10 minutes until the paramedics arrived, and then assisted them as much as we could before getting him into the ambulance.” The man, who had been a patient at the dental surgery for about 25 years, sadly did not make it, and Richard had his suspicions that  that would be the case when he saw the ambulance disappear down the road. “They didn’t blue light him away and I just got the feeling that he wasn’t going to make it.  We gave him a fighting chance, but when I went into work and saw his medical  records, I just didn’t hold much hope.” Richard and Des were told that the man had died a few days after their brave attempts to save his life.     If it had not been for the defibrillator, it’s unlikely the man would have even had his fighting chance of  survival. “I’m a bit frustrated that the  government don’t put these in more public places. It is basic life support and could make all the difference,” said Richard. despite the man sadly  passing away, Des and Richard should be commended for their efforts.

My Abbots wish to pass on its condolences to the gentleman’s family in your time of grieving.