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Chief defends hospital after 'avoidable' liver surgery deaths Chief defends hospital after 'avoidable' liver surgery deaths
(35 minutes later)
A medical director has defended a hospital's liver service after a review of one consultant's surgery showed there had been eight "avoidable deaths".A medical director has defended a hospital's liver service after a review of one consultant's surgery showed there had been eight "avoidable deaths".
Prof David Paul Berry has been suspended from the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff since January.Prof David Paul Berry has been suspended from the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff since January.
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board's medical director said an internal audit highlighted concerns.Cardiff and Vale University Health Board's medical director said an internal audit highlighted concerns.
Graham Shortland said they had taken steps to "ensure the public are safe".Graham Shortland said they had taken steps to "ensure the public are safe".
BBC Wales discovered on Tuesday that Prof Berry had been suspended at the start of the year.BBC Wales discovered on Tuesday that Prof Berry had been suspended at the start of the year.
Prof Berry, who moved to work in south Wales from the Leicester area, was originally put on restricted practice in October 2012 following concerns about the outcomes of some liver patients in his care. Prof Berry, who moved to work in south Wales from the Leicester area, was originally stopped from carrying out complex surgery in October 2012 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.
'Problem''Problem'
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 the surgeon, 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 the surgeon, found that 10 later died and eight of those 10 deaths were avoidable.
But Dr Shortland explained that the surgeon was removed from carrying out the "complex" surgery - the focus of an initial review after issues had come to light in a routine audit and the problem was then escalated and led to a second review. The health board's medical director told BBC Wales' Good Morning Wales programme: "This is about complex liver surgery and not about other surgery that was performed."
"This is about complex liver surgery and not about other surgery that was performed," said Dr Shortland, adding that an initial independent review showed "this was not a service problem this was a problem with an individual surgeon". Dr Shortland added that an initial independent review showed "this was not a service problem this was a problem with an individual surgeon".
When asked why had the matter only just come to the wider public's attention, Dr Shortland said: "We felt it was very important to have a discussion with those families affected and we would have made sure this was taken into the public domain at an appropriate time.When asked why had the matter only just come to the wider public's attention, Dr Shortland said: "We felt it was very important to have a discussion with those families affected and we would have made sure this was taken into the public domain at an appropriate time.
'Distressing time'
"Our duty was to inform those families first.""Our duty was to inform those families first."
The health board has issued "unreserved apologies" to every family affected.The health board has issued "unreserved apologies" to every family affected.
A helpline for anyone who is concerned about the surgical care they received in relation to liver surgery between February 2011 and October 2012 has been set up. Stephen Allen, chief officer of patient watchdog Cardiff and Vale Community Health Council, said: "It's a distressing time for the families concerned and we can't imagine what they are going through."
Maria Davies's partner Martyn Rogers, from Newport, died after undergoing treatment last year and she has instructed lawyers to investigate further.
Solicitor Emma Rush said Ms Davies had "inklings" something was amiss and this was confirmed by the RCS review.
"As far as Maria is concerned losing a loved one is horrific in any situation.
"But when you then subsequently find out that you've lost that loved one and the death was avoidable, I can't even begin to imagine how that makes Maria feel.
"Clearly she is devastated," Ms Rush added.
A helpline for anyone who is concerned about the surgical care they received at the hospital in relation to liver surgery between February 2011 and October 2012 has been set up.
The helpline number is 0800 952 0244 and will be open from noon to 20:00 GMT every day from Wednesday, December 11 to Friday, December 13.The helpline number is 0800 952 0244 and will be open from noon to 20:00 GMT every day from Wednesday, December 11 to Friday, December 13.