Up to 3000 ‘died needlessly’ in NHS trusts under investigation


Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust was estimated to have 1,947
deaths but actually had 2,357 – a difference of 410, according to the
figures published by the Health and Social Care Information Centre.

The figures also suggest that five of the trusts which are being investigated
are “repeat outliers” – having being classed as “higher than expected” for
two years running.

Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Colchester
Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust, Northern Lincolnshire and Goole
Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Tameside Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, and
the Blackpool trust were catagorised as higher than expected from October
2010 to October 2012.

The trusts had a combined total of almost 1,500 more deaths than expected in
2011 to 2012 – according to the figures.

Officials cautioned that the data is “experimental” and the figures should
only act as a “smoke alarm”.

Sir Bruce said: “A higher than expected mortality rate does not in itself tell
us that a hospital is unsafe, for example, units delivering highly complex
and specialist care could legitimately have higher mortality rates.

“It is, however, a warning light that suggests trusts should investigate
further to identify and resolve any care quality issues.

“We want consistently high performing hospitals across the NHS.

“Hospitals with persistently high Summary Hospital Mortality Indicator scores
are currently under review.”

Mortality data have been much debated in recent weeks following the temporary
suspension of the children’s heart surgery unit at Leeds General Infirmary.
Figures presented to Sir Bruce suggested that death rates at the unit were
double that of other centres.

But medical bodies, doctors and other experts questioned the accuracy of the
data used to support the suspension of surgery, which they said was
unverified and not fit to base such a decision on.

Yesterday, Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt told the Health Select Committee:
“(Mortality data) have to be treated with caution because it is excess
mortality against a mean, it doesn’t mean that every example of excess
mortality is an avoidable death, but it does mean you should investigate and
that’s what’s happening.”

NHS England said that the 14 trusts under investigation would soon be visited
by a team of experts including doctors, nurses and patient representatives.

A spokeswoman said that the teams will carry out “rapid responsive reviews”
and will observe the hospital in action, as well as taking part in meetings
with patients, members of the public, and staff. These visits will be
followed up with unannounced visits, she added.

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