Probe Into Deaths Of Heart Surgery Children

11:17am UK, Thursday March 04, 2010

Jo Couzens, Sky News Online

A leading hospital is investigating the deaths of four children who underwent heart operations there in recent months.

The John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford has suspended children's cardiac surgery until the investigation is concluded.

Parents of 26 children due to undergo operations at the Children's Hospital based there are currently being contacted.

Those who need urgent treatment are to be transferred elsewhere.

The deaths of the four "very sick children" happened either during or after surgery, a spokesman for the hospital said.

A spokesman for the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust said: "Our investigations are likely to include an external review of the deaths of some very sick children (four) who underwent surgery at the John Radcliffe Hospital in the last three to four months.

"The families of children awaiting cardiac surgery are being contacted and we will be placing those patients who need to be seen urgently with other hospitals.

Health Secretary Andy Burnham said the hospital had "done the right thing" by suspending surgery.

"We must not to prejudge that investigation, patient safety must come first at all times in the National Health Service," he added.

Deaths after children's heart surgery at the hospital fall within normal ranges and there has been no previous cause for concern.

Sky News' health correspondent Thomas Moore stressed: "There is no alarm at the hospital because the deaths do fall within normal ranges.

"But the situation is being monitored closely so things can be put right if necessary."

The Care Quality Commission - the independent regulator of health and social care in England - says it is monitoring the situation closely.

:: Patients and their families are asked to contact the hospital on 01865 741166.

Thanks for posting this. I've been out all day and only caught the tail end of the story before I went out.
I hope there is no foul play here....

eddie wrote:Thanks for posting this. I've been out all day and only caught the tail end of the story before I went out.
I hope there is no foul play here....

So do I. Its hard enough when kids die without finding out that they could have been saved and still alive