TV Kirstie’s father claims he was misled over £320k op

HE MIGHT now reasonably hope to be spending time with his grandchildren and indulging in other gentle pleasures.

But I fear that’s little more than a pipe dream for Lord Hindlip, 83, former chairman of Christie’s auctioneers and father of Location, Location, Location presenter, Kirstie Allsopp.

He has, I can reveal, steeled himself for a gruelling High Court battle after undergoing what he alleges was ‘negligently’ performed heart surgery.

In a blistering attack against private healthcare company HCA International — which, as I disclosed, accuses him of leaving a £321,000 bill unpaid — Hindlip states that he was ‘induced to sign’ an agreement, at ‘very short notice’, while ‘very ill’ and ‘subject to [HCA]’s and [his] surgeon’s influence’ and after assurances from HCA’s employees.

Worse followed, according to Hindlip. His operation, which included the replacement of his aortic valve and the repair of two other valves, was ‘performed negligently’, it is alleged, with the result that he was ‘subjected to an extended post-operative recovery period as an in-patient in [HCA]’s hospital’. Documents indicate Hindlip also intends to take action against his insurer and surgeon.

HCA has submitted a detailed response to Hindlip’s attack. Denying that its employees said the peer’s insurer had approved the operation and post-operative care, it alleges it was Hindlip ‘or his family’ who said the insurer ‘had authorised treatment’. It also alleges Kirstie told staff her father’s insurer would be ‘responsible for 60 per cent [of costs]’ and her father for 40 per cent.

Kirstie — alleges HCA — told staff, by telephone, that her father ‘had a dispute with [his insurer] and not with [HCA]’.

The company adds that Lord Hindlip had ‘plenty of time to read and understand’ its terms and conditions.