THE brother of a woman who died following a routine operation in a private hospital has secured a debate in the House of Commons on the circumstances surrounding her death.

Carmel Bloom, who was 54 and lived in Snakes Lane East, Woodford Green, died following an operation to remove a kidney stone at the BUPA (now Spire) Roding Hospital in 2002.

Her brother Bernard, of High Road, Chigwell, has spent the last nine years and hundreds of thousands of pounds trying to establish how she died.

The Speaker of the House of Commons has agreed to a request for a debate from Lee Scott – MP for Ilford North, Ms Bloom's former constituency – and is waiting for a date to be set.

Mr Scott will put a series of questions to Health Secretary Andrew Lansley in order to raise the profile of the case in the hope the minister will order the Department of Health to launch a fresh investigation.

Mr Scott said: “I have great concerns about a number of different issues over this case.

“The dates for debates are selected at random by computer and once we have the date I’ll meet Bernard to decide on exactly what questions I’ll ask.

“What I can’t do is give Bernard his sister back. I’m trying to get him some justice and closure.

“I told him I will stick with it and that’s what I’m going to do.”

Last month Mr Bloom met assistant attorney-general Kevin McGinty to request a fifth inquest into his sister’s death, raising the prospect of having her body exhumed.

Mr Bloom, 59, said: “Obviously I’m really pleased that this is going to be debated. It’s so important people are made aware of the case and our concerns.

“Hopefully the debate will mean that this will be thoroughly investigated.”

In February 2010, two doctors involved in the case – consultant John Hines and anaesthetist Dr Paul Timmis – were investigated by the General Medical Council.

They admitted failings in Carmel Bloom’s treatment but were allowed to continue practising.