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Liver op patients call helpline after surgeon suspended Liver op patients call helpline after surgeon suspended
(about 1 hour later)
A helpline set up following the suspension of a liver specialist at a Cardiff hospital has already received more than 40 calls from worried patients and families. More than 40 calls have been made to a helpline set up at a Cardiff hospital following the "avoidable" deaths of eight patients under the care of a liver specialist.
Prof David Paul Berry was suspended from the University Hospital of Wales in January. Prof David Paul Berry was suspended from the University Hospital of Wales in January after reviews into the outcomes of his patients were held.
A review for the health board found eight patient deaths in his care were "avoidable" The matter has been referred to South Wales Police.
The matter has also been referred to South Wales Police. The health board has issued "unreserved apologies" to every family affected.
Medical director of the Cardiff and the Vale University Health Board, Dr Graham Shortland, said 42 patients had contacted the helpline set up in the wake of the liver surgery revelations - including two families of patients who health officials had been trying to trace. 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 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.
Two further independent reviews by the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) followed.
The second review, of the individual care of 31 patients who underwent complex liver surgery by Prof Berry, found that 10 later died . Eight of those deaths were avoidable.
It has since emerged he was suspended at the same time from Spire Cardiff Hospital where he had a private practice.
A helpline was set up by the health board for worried patients and families.
Medical director of the Cardiff and the Vale University Health Board, Dr Graham Shortland, said 42 patients had contacted the helpline - including two families of patients who health officials had been trying to trace.
"The hotline has taken a number of calls, including some from other parts of the UK, and nursing staff have been providing information and reassurance to members of the public," he said."The hotline has taken a number of calls, including some from other parts of the UK, and nursing staff have been providing information and reassurance to members of the public," he said.
"We are also pleased that the two remaining families who we have been trying to contact for some time have been in touch and we can offer them appropriate support.""We are also pleased that the two remaining families who we have been trying to contact for some time have been in touch and we can offer them appropriate support."
The latest comments from the medical director come as South Wales Police confirmed they had liaised with the coroner and were "now in consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service to examine the facts".The latest comments from the medical director come as South Wales Police confirmed they had liaised with the coroner and were "now in consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service to examine the facts".
All-Wales review rejected On Wednesday calls were made for a public review into the situation but it was rejected by the Health Minister Mark Drakeford.
However, on Wednesday Health Minister Mark Drakeford dismissed calls for a review of all Welsh hospitals to address public concerns about standards of NHS care following the case. Mr Drakeford said: "Any avoidable death in the NHS care is a matter for profound regret and a cause for deep distress to families.
He told AMs in the Senedd the matter had come to light "without any external review".
Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Kirsty Williams had tabled an urgent question asking for a statement from the minister.
He responded: "Any avoidable death in the NHS care is a matter for profound regret and a cause for deep distress to families.
"All organisations must have robust clinical governance systems in place to routinely audit patient outcomes and take immediate action if concerns emerge."All organisations must have robust clinical governance systems in place to routinely audit patient outcomes and take immediate action if concerns emerge.
"The suspension of a surgeon at the University Hospital of Wales was the result of such a process.""The suspension of a surgeon at the University Hospital of Wales was the result of such a process."
BBC Wales discovered on Tuesday that Prof Berry had been suspended at the start of the year. Meanwhile, Prof Berry's former employer, the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust said his results in the year before he left for Wales were "in line with those of his peers" but over a longer period there were times when they "were not as good as those of his colleagues".
It has since emerged he was suspended at the same time from Spire Cardiff Hospital where he had a private practice.
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.
Two further independent reviews by the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) followed.
The second RCS review, of the individual care of thirty one patients who underwent complex liver surgery by Prof Berry, found that ten later died . Eight of those deaths were avoidable.
The health board has issued "unreserved apologies" to every family affected.
University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust said Prof Berry's results in the year before he left for Wales were "in line with those of his peers" but over a longer period there were times when they "were not as good as those of his colleagues".
The trust has sought advice from the Royal College of Surgeons about the need for a similar "look back" exercise as that carried out in Wales.The trust has sought advice from the Royal College of Surgeons about the need for a similar "look back" exercise as that carried out in Wales.
A freephone patient helpline has been setup on 0808 178 8337, running from 10am and 4pm daily, until further notice.A freephone patient helpline has been setup on 0808 178 8337, running from 10am and 4pm daily, until further notice.