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Liver specialist suspended from duty at University Hospital of Wales Liver specialist suspended from duty at University Hospital of Wales
(35 minutes later)
Health chiefs have suspended a specialist liver surgeon linked to the "avoidable deaths" of eight patients he operated on in Cardiff.Health chiefs have suspended a specialist liver surgeon linked to the "avoidable deaths" of eight patients he operated on in Cardiff.
Consultant surgeon David Berry was based at the University Hospital of Wales. Consultant surgeon David Paul Berry was based at the University Hospital of Wales.
A professional review of 31 of his patients found that 10 died, and "eight of those 10 deaths were avoidable".A professional review of 31 of his patients found that 10 died, and "eight of those 10 deaths were avoidable".
The Cardiff and Vale University Health Board has issued "unreserved apologies" to every family affected.The Cardiff and Vale University Health Board has issued "unreserved apologies" to every family affected.
The surgeon was originally put on restricted practice in January last year following concerns about the outcomes of some liver patients in his care.The surgeon was originally put on restricted practice in January last year following concerns about the outcomes of some liver patients in his care.
An initial internal investigation confirmed the health board's concerns and he was fully suspended from duties in January this year.An initial internal investigation confirmed the health board's concerns and he was fully suspended from duties in January this year.
Two further independent reviews by the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) followed.Two further independent reviews by the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) followed.
The second RCS review, of the individual care of 31 patients who underwent complex liver surgery by Mr Berry, found that 10 later died and eight of those 10 deaths were avoidable. The second RCS review, of the individual care of 31 patients who underwent complex liver surgery by Dr Berry, found that 10 later died and eight of those 10 deaths were avoidable.
"Every death is a tragedy for the family concerned, but we do not underestimate the impact of a death in these circumstances," said Cardiff and Vale health board's medical director, Dr Graham Shortland."Every death is a tragedy for the family concerned, but we do not underestimate the impact of a death in these circumstances," said Cardiff and Vale health board's medical director, Dr Graham Shortland.
"We would like at the outset to put on record our unreserved apologies to every family who has been affected.""We would like at the outset to put on record our unreserved apologies to every family who has been affected."
The surgeon was also referred to the General Medical Council.The surgeon was also referred to the General Medical Council.
'Safety and quality'
"The health board has been in dialogue with the majority of those families concerned for some time and has put individual advocates in place to support them through this difficult period. There are two families who have not responded to our repeated correspondence," Dr Shortland added."The health board has been in dialogue with the majority of those families concerned for some time and has put individual advocates in place to support them through this difficult period. There are two families who have not responded to our repeated correspondence," Dr Shortland added.
"As a health board, our absolute focus is on the safety and quality of the care we give to our patients.""As a health board, our absolute focus is on the safety and quality of the care we give to our patients."
'Worrying time'
Dr Shortland said the health board picked up "anomalies" in the surgeon's results from "routine clinical data" which was scrutinised.Dr Shortland said the health board picked up "anomalies" in the surgeon's results from "routine clinical data" which was scrutinised.
"We have worked with the Royal College of Surgeons, and our own staff, to make sure we are clear about the numbers of people whose care and treatment may have been affected by this issue," he added."We have worked with the Royal College of Surgeons, and our own staff, to make sure we are clear about the numbers of people whose care and treatment may have been affected by this issue," he added.
"We appreciate this is a worrying time for patients and their families and would like to reassure patients who are receiving or awaiting liver surgery at the moment that the UHB has full confidence in the current liver service at the University Hospital of Wales.""We appreciate this is a worrying time for patients and their families and would like to reassure patients who are receiving or awaiting liver surgery at the moment that the UHB has full confidence in the current liver service at the University Hospital of Wales."
The health board has set up a helpline for anyone who is concerned about the surgical care they received in relation to liver surgery between February 2011 and October 2012.The health board has set up a helpline for anyone who is concerned about the surgical care they received in relation to liver surgery between February 2011 and October 2012.
The helpline number is 0800 952 0244 and will be open 12 noon to 8pm every day from Wednesday, December 11 to Friday, December 13.The helpline number is 0800 952 0244 and will be open 12 noon to 8pm every day from Wednesday, December 11 to Friday, December 13.