A surgeon whose work was described as “iffy” is to give evidence at an inquest into the death of a patient who died days after undergoing surgery.

North Wales health bosses will also be asked to explain the procedures which led to the recruitment of Georgios Akritidis and the level of supervision of his work while carrying out the operation on the pensioner.

Arthur Price Hughes, 81, died at Glan Clwyd Hospital, Bodelwyddan, on October 14, 2014, four days after having surgery for a bowel obstruction.

Home Office pathologist Dr Brian Rodgers gave the cause of death as multi-organ failure due to an intra-abdominal haemmorhage caused by vascular injury during surgery.

Mr Akritidis, a colorectal surgeon who had worked at the hospital for only a few months, was sacked immediately and a police investigation was launched into possible criminal negligence.

North Wales Police engaged an independent expert, Yorkshire-based consultant Ralph Antrum, but crown prosecutors eventually decided not to pursue the case.

At a pre-inquest hearing in April this year John Gittins, coroner for North Wales East and Central, said he understood that five procedures carried out by Mr Akritidis while at Glan Clwyd had been considered “iffy”, raising questions about his competence.

Because of the concerns of colleagues a meeting was held with the surgeon on October 8, 2014, and nine days later it was decided he should be allowed to continue to carry out surgery only under supervision.

At a second pre-hearing in Ruthin on Thursday Mr Gittins said that among other issues he would be examining the how closely Mr Akritidis was being supervised while operating on Mr Hughes, of Penrhyn Avenue, Rhos-on-Sea.

The recruitment process of the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, including the taking up of references, and the decisions made over the supervision will also come under the microscope when the full inquest takes place.

“The question of criminal liability and his professional capability are not within my remit,” said Mr Gittins.

Mr Akritidis, who is understood to be currently working at King’s College Hospital, London, was not present at the hearing but was represented by barrister Judith Rogerson, through the Medical Defence Union.

In deciding which witnesses to call, Mr Gittins said he expected to have Mr Antrum’s statement for North Wales Police.

He told Ms Rogerson: “His report is not totally complimentary to your client, as you might expect.”

The full inquest is likely to be held in October and November, and will last three days.