A Rickmansworth man hanged himself in Watford General Hospital after having major surgery to his colon.

An inquest into the death of Thomas Francis Ryan, of Landford Close, heard today how the 72-year-old took his own life after surgery for ulcerative colitis. He died on November 19 after hanging himself in a locked hospital bathroom.

A trained nurse in both general and psychiatric care, after retirement he spent the last ten years of his life as a volunteer carer for people with psychiatric needs.

He also volunteered with the Colne Valley Special Sailors and the Chiltern Open Air Museum, despite having a double hip replacement.

In September he started getting stomach pains and was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory bowel disease which affects the lining of the large intestine. He was admitted to Watford General Hospital for treatment on October 28.

He could not be given a colonoscopy, an internal camera, due to his poor condition, but after treatment he had his colon removed.

Graham Danbury, deputy coroner for Hertfordshire, said: "He took that fairly well and was gradually recovering. His wife visited him twice a day and they spoke on the phone.

"He was due for discharge on November 21 and on the 19th his wife visited him in the afternoon. He appeared frail but they managed to complete a cryptic crossword together."

At 5.45pm he rang his wife to check she was coming that evening and later, when she arrived, he was not in his bed.

After a search of the hospital he was found hanging in a locked shower room. The hospital carried out a serious incident investigation.

Mr Danbury said: "Nothing in Mr Ryan's care would have given any clue to anyone that he was thinking of ending his life.

"Notes were found in a notebook which clearly showed he wanted to take his own life. He knew about his condition and decided for his own sake, and those close to him, that he would end his life."

If you are having suicidal thoughts and feelings and want to talk, you can telephone Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90, email jo@samaritans.org or find a local branch at www.samaritans.org