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Children's heart surgeon leaves Children's heart surgeon leaves
(30 minutes later)
The surgeon who operated on four children who died after undergoing heart surgery has quit his post.The surgeon who operated on four children who died after undergoing heart surgery has quit his post.
Children's heart surgery has been suspended at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, while an investigation is carried out.Children's heart surgery has been suspended at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, while an investigation is carried out.
The hospital confirmed Caner Salih performed on the "very sick" children who died, but said the investigation was not focusing solely on the surgery. The hospital confirmed Caner Salih performed on the "very sick" children who died.
It said the departure is not related to the inquiry, which started this week. The trust stressed that there was no suggestion at this stage that the surgeon involved had made any errors.
A health trust spokesman said the surgeon was leaving for a job at another hospital.A health trust spokesman said the surgeon was leaving for a job at another hospital.
The spokesman said Mr Salih's departure is not related to the inquiry, which started this week, and the investigation was not focusing solely on the surgery.
"We can confirm that all four of the children who died within the timeframe concerned were patients of Mr Salih, but we are not just looking at the surgical procedures, we are looking at all aspects of patient care in relation to these children," he added."We can confirm that all four of the children who died within the timeframe concerned were patients of Mr Salih, but we are not just looking at the surgical procedures, we are looking at all aspects of patient care in relation to these children," he added.
'Deaths inevitable'
Children who were awaiting operations at the hospital are being placed with one of 10 other specialist units in the country.
The external review is being led by the South Central Strategic Health Authority.
The spokesman added: "Paediatric cardiac surgery outcomes are nationally validated and the data is published.
"Oxford has been within normal outcome ranges.
"This is one of the reasons why we felt it was necessary to take a close look at our service to ensure we continue to provide a high quality safe service for our children.
"Sadly, any hospital will have deaths in a service that provides treatment for patients who are very unwell.
"However, it is right that we take a pause while we look into the individual cases, to see if there is anything to learn from them."