A re-used oxygen tube which became blocked - leading to the death of a nine-year-old boy - would have cost just "a few pennies" to replace, it was revealed today.

But health bosses insisted it was for convenience, not cost-cutting, that the tube was re-used.

Manufacturers recommend the piece of equipment was used just once.

But at Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford, in an operation where Tony Clowes, nine, died of oxygen starvation, health bosses admitted it had been re-used.

Yesterday (Wednesday), Essex Police announced they have widened an investigation to Basildon Hospital after a "similar" incident involving a man in his 40s who survived.

For more on this story see 'Essex: Sabotage theory in hospital probe' and 'Essex: Hospital workers on leave after boy's death' in the drop-down list at the bottom of this story Tony Clowes's father, George, 44, said he hoped his son's death had not been in vain.

He read out a statement which said: "Today's news that the police are looking at another case has brought everything back, but the fact that the other man survived because staff were being extra vigilant at least means that Tony's death may not have been in vain.

"I hope that out of this investigation will come truth and justice and that no family will ever have to go through anything like this again."

Mid Essex Hospitals NHS Trust announced new procedures had been put in place since Tony's death.

A spokesman said: "We no longer re-use, single-use equipment since the incident. We have brought in a new procedure.

"It is not a cost issue. The cost would not be more than a few pennies.

"It was about convenience. It was not about saving money. The Trust has not and would not instruct clinical staff not to follow manufacturer's guidance and instructions. The patient's safety comes first."

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