Nelson Marlborough District Health Board's been censured after a woman died four days after bowel surgery

The Health and Disability Commission found the DHB its care of the woman was in breach of consumer rights codes.

Soon after surgery, the 65-year-old's white cell count rose and she started to show signs of bowel obstruction.

Her condition deteriorated over the next few days and she later died.

Commissioner Anthony Hill say the cause of the woman's high white cell count wasn't investigated in a timely fashion, and there were delays in further treatment.