A consultant anaesthetist who gave the wrong drug during an operation which led to a patient's death has returned to work.

Michael Twohig was reinstated at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton, after two separate investigations concluded the error was an accident.

Dr Twohig and Brighton Health Care NHS Trust have apologised "profoundly" to the widow of patient Philip Silsbury, 74, of Kent Road, Littlehampton.

They say new procedures have been put in place to make sure the mistake does not happen again.

Yesterday a verdict of accidental death was recorded on Mr Silsbury, who died at the Royal Sussex on February 10.

He had been given the powerful painkiller bupivacaine in a vein during an operation on an aortic aneurysm. Dr Twohig had mistaken the drug, which is supposed to be injected into the spine, for a bag of intravenous fluid called hetastarch.

Mr Silsbury suffered a heart attack as a result and never regained consciousness. He died in intensive care three days later.

Brighton and Hove coroner Veronica Hamilton-Deeley called for new national guidelines to ensure all bags of drugs and fluids were clearly labelled.

An internal report into the incident by Brighton Health Care NHS Trust and an external report by the Royal College of Anaesthetists both concluded that the incident was a tragic mistake.

Dr Twohig was suspended while investigations were carried out. A statement on behalf of Dr Twohig was read by Robert Lazarus from the Medical Protection Society after the inquest.

He said: "Dr Twohig would like to reiterate his sympathy to Mrs Silsbury following the death of her husband.

"He co-operated with the investigation that was instigated and fully accepts both findings. The inquiry concluded that Mr Silsbury died as a result of a tragic accident and Dr Twohig deeply regrets the mistake that he made.

"He is grateful to Mrs Silsbury for the understanding that she has shown and also to the trust, his family, colleagues and friends for their support in helping him to return to his duties at the Royal Sussex County Hospital."

Brighton Healthcare chief executive Stuart Welling told a Press conference that procedures were put in place immediately following the bungle.

These have included the removal of bags of bupivacaine from the anaesthetic room and operating theatre at the Royal Sussex.