A patient died in her hospital bed the day after what was an "ill-judged" hysterectomy performed by a consultant gynaecologist, a panel of the General Medical Council heard yesterday.

Christine McGowan, 52, from Worksop in Nottinghamshire, probably died of coronary arrhythmia, a disturbed heart rhythm, the GMC was told. Her husband Francis said his wife had been "frightened" to have the operation and at one point decided against, but changed her mind owing to pain from fibroids in her womb. Dr May Mammo, who performed the surgery, denies misconduct.

No complaint was made about Dr Mammo's surgery, in 2001 at Bassetlaw hospital near Doncaster, but she denies failing to give enough thought as to whether it was necessary; she also did not discuss with the anaesthetist whether it posed a risk owing to Mrs McGowan's angina.

Viv Robinson, for the GMC, said Dr Mammo's conduct was "ill-judged": she did not give "adequate consideration" to stopping Mrs McGowan's HRT as an alternative means to try to reduce the pain. The hearing concludes today.