Safety fears for Leeds children’s heart surgery unit

A Leeds children’s heart surgery service is in a “precarious” state amid concerns over above-average death rates, a report has found.

Transcript

00:00A report examining the Leeds General Infirmary Children's Heart Surgery Unit

00:05suggests the service is in a precarious state due to concerns over above-average death rates.

00:10Paediatric mortality rates were within the expected range between 2021 to 2023,

00:17but outcomes after April 2023 showed a worrying and significant deterioration,

00:22with risk-adjusted mortality rates running around three times the national average.

00:27During the same period, the rate of significant complications has increased,

00:31including the need for re-operations and protracted lengths of stay.

00:35Hospital bosses have been told urgent action is needed to address a staffing crisis in the Leeds Congenital Cardiac Service.

00:43The report added that one surgeon was due to retire and another had decided not to return from a sabbatical,

00:49with personality clashes reported among staff in the LGI unit.

00:54Some staff said they no longer escalated concerns about poor behaviour as there was a sense that nothing would be done,

01:01but other staff cited examples of excellent team-working and professionalism.

01:05The report praised the service for dealing with rising numbers of complex cases,

01:09but said some recent poor patient outcomes and the imminent retirement of its senior surgeon

01:14now places the entire programme in a very precarious state.

01:18A separate review was carried out into the care of seven children operated on by the same surgeon,

01:24including two who died.

01:25The unnamed surgeon, who was placed on restricted duties,

01:28was found to have performed well in three of the complex cases,

01:31but there were concerns over a further four.

01:34The Trust has said a new surgeon will be joining the team in January,

01:37and more specialist nurses are being trained.

01:39The Chief Medical Officer has said a robust action plan is in place to deliver the recommendations.

01:44The Chief Medical Officer is a very