Husband’s campaign after wife’s death

Elaine Bromiley was admitted to hospital in 2005 for what should have been a routine sinus operation.

During the procedure her airways became obstructed, which surgeons tried to unblock.

A surgical nurse realised Mrs Bromiley would require a tracheostomy.

However, the intervention was never ordered and the nurse did not speak up out of deference to the surgeons.

Mrs Bromiley subsequently died.

Her husband, Martin Bromiley, a pilot, lectures hospitals on how to break down hierarchies to avoid this kind of error.

He tells staff how he insists his crew refer to him by his first name so they feel comfortable voicing any concerns.