Doctor found dead in hospital just af ter he left operating theatre
Trainee anaesthetist discovered in changing room
A TRAINEE anaesthetist has been found dead in a hospital changing room.
Junior doctor John McKenna is said to have died soon after taking part in an operation at University Hospital Crosshouse in Kilmarnock.
He was discovered shortly before midnight on Monday.
The 29-year-old graduated with a medical degree from Dundee University in 2010 and married his wife Heather, 27, two years ago.
Mr McKenna was working towards a postgraduate qualification in anaesthetics from NHS Education for Scotland.
Police were called in after the tragic find – said to have been made by one of his colleagues – and detectives have launched an investiga- tion, with a post-mortem examination due to take place soon. Officers said the death was ‘unexplained’.
Yesterday, Mr McKenna’s sisterin-law declined to speak about the family’s loss. There was also no answer at the home he shared with Heather in Fauldhouse, west lothian.
She is also a qualified doctor, having graduated from Edinburgh University in 2008, and is a specialist in emergency medicine.
Colleagues of the well-liked medic have paid tribute to him.
It was reported that one of his friends, who was not named, said he died after a night-time operation at the hospital.
They said: ‘It’s such a tragedy. This has left everyone stunned. John was young and talented. It’s very hard to take in.
‘One minute he was doing an operation, the next he was dead in the staff changing rooms.
‘It’s so sad. John was a lovely man and a superb medic. He will be sorely missed by all his friends and colleagues. He was the life and soul of the party and was always there for anyone who needed him.’
Former colleague gemma MacKillop said she worked with him at Hairmyres Hospital in East Kilbride, lanarkshire.
Reacting to the news online, she said: ‘Such a shame and shocking. John was one of our anaesthetic trainees in Hairmyres. Thoughts go out to his family.’
Hayley O’Neill wrote: ‘RIP John. lovely guy and great doctor. It’s so tragic. He was working with us only the other week there.’ Katie Sturgeon added: ‘So shocked to read this today. I have lots of happy memories of this fine anaesthetist.’
Mr McKenna was a member of the Royal College of Anaesthetists, the professional body for practitioners.
It is understood that he was training to become a consultant anaesthetist with the college.
Consultants usually undertake a five-year medical degree and then a two-year foundation course in hospitals. They can then elect to take a postgraduate degree lasting up to eight-and-a-half years to gain the title of consultant.
A spokesman for the Royal College of Anaesthetists said: ‘we are saddened to hear of the passing of a member of our college. Our thoughts are with his family, colleagues and friends at this time.’
Patricia leiser, human resources manager of the
‘This has left everyone stunned’ ‘Lovely guy and great doctor’
board that runs Crosshouse Hospital, said: ‘NHS Ayrshire & Arran is aware of an incident involving a member of staff which took place overnight on Monday, August 7, into Tuesday, August 8, 2017, at University Hospital Crosshouse.
‘we are assisting Police Scotland with their investigations. Our thoughts and sympathies are with the family at this sad time.’
A Police Scotland spokesman said: ‘Around 23:45hrs on Monday, August 7, 2017, police received a report that the body of a 29-year-old man was found within a changing room at Crosshouse Hospital.’