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| Liver op patients call helpline after surgeon suspended | Liver op patients call helpline after surgeon suspended |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 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. | 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 after reviews into the outcomes of his patients were held. | Prof David Paul Berry was suspended from the University Hospital of Wales in January after reviews into the outcomes of his patients were held. |
| The matter has been referred to South Wales Police. | The matter has been referred to South Wales Police. |
| The health board has issued "unreserved apologies" to every family affected. | The health board has issued "unreserved apologies" to every family affected. |
| 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 stopped from carrying out complex surgery 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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". |
| On Wednesday calls were made for a public review into the situation but it was rejected by the Health Minister Mark Drakeford. | On Wednesday calls were made for a public review into the situation but it was rejected by the Health Minister Mark Drakeford. |
| Mr Drakeford said: "Any avoidable death in the NHS care is a matter for profound regret and a cause for deep distress to families. | Mr Drakeford said: "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." |
| 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". | 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". |
| 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 set up on 0808 178 8337, running from 10am and 4pm daily, until further notice. |