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Welsh hospital death rates investigation call Welsh hospital death rates investigation call
(35 minutes later)
High death rates in Welsh hospitals should be investigated, the medical director of the English NHS has suggested to his Welsh counterpart. Persistently high death rates in Welsh hospitals should be investigated, the medical director of the English NHS has suggested to his Welsh counterpart.
The NHS England medical director said the data on death rates in six Welsh hospitals was worrying but was not adequate to "form a view". The NHS England medical director said the data on death rates in six Welsh hospitals was worrying but not adequate to "form a view".
His call for an investigation was made in an email last November now released under the Freedom of Information Act.His call for an investigation was made in an email last November now released under the Freedom of Information Act.
The Welsh government says the data for England and Wales cannot be compared.The Welsh government says the data for England and Wales cannot be compared.
It has ruled out a Wales-wide inquiry into death rates.It has ruled out a Wales-wide inquiry into death rates.
In the e-mail, NHS England medical director Sir Bruce Keogh told his NHS Wales equivalent Dr Chris Jones: "I cannot vouch for the veracity of these data but they are worrying.In the e-mail, NHS England medical director Sir Bruce Keogh told his NHS Wales equivalent Dr Chris Jones: "I cannot vouch for the veracity of these data but they are worrying.
"Given that they represent a potential diagnostic delay and may underpin some of the mortality concerns, it would seem sensible to investigate.""Given that they represent a potential diagnostic delay and may underpin some of the mortality concerns, it would seem sensible to investigate."
The e-mail comes amid heightened tensions between the governments in London and Cardiff Bay over the performance of the Welsh NHS.The e-mail comes amid heightened tensions between the governments in London and Cardiff Bay over the performance of the Welsh NHS.
Prime Minister David Cameron has repeatedly criticised the performance of the Welsh NHS and the Labour administration in Cardiff Bay during Prime Minister's Questions.
Statistics published last year by the Welsh government showed 11 out of 17 district general hospitals in Wales had higher death rates than should be expected.Statistics published last year by the Welsh government showed 11 out of 17 district general hospitals in Wales had higher death rates than should be expected.
Officials described the findings as a "fire alarm" but they warned that there were major problems with the way the data was collected.Officials described the findings as a "fire alarm" but they warned that there were major problems with the way the data was collected.
The Welsh NHS has faced problems recently with key targets for A&E missed since 2009, ambulance response time targets hit once since May 2012 and a rise in people waiting more than nine months for their first hospital appointment.The Welsh NHS has faced problems recently with key targets for A&E missed since 2009, ambulance response time targets hit once since May 2012 and a rise in people waiting more than nine months for their first hospital appointment.
In a statement the Welsh government said: "As Sir Bruce makes clear, he does not have adequate data to form a view of whether there should be an investigation into the hospitals named in the email.In a statement the Welsh government said: "As Sir Bruce makes clear, he does not have adequate data to form a view of whether there should be an investigation into the hospitals named in the email.
"Moreover, even when he does have data, he cannot vouch for its veracity."Moreover, even when he does have data, he cannot vouch for its veracity.
"The National Statistics Authority has also recently concluded that it is not possible to compare mortality rates between England and Wales as they are measured differently."The National Statistics Authority has also recently concluded that it is not possible to compare mortality rates between England and Wales as they are measured differently.
"Despite the frequent attempts to criticise the Welsh NHS, well over 90% of people in Wales who actually use the NHS are happy with the care they receive."Despite the frequent attempts to criticise the Welsh NHS, well over 90% of people in Wales who actually use the NHS are happy with the care they receive.
Unnecessary deathsUnnecessary deaths
"If legitimate concerns are raised about particular aspects of care at specific hospitals, we have acted quickly and ordered independent reviews to identify and resolve any issues.""If legitimate concerns are raised about particular aspects of care at specific hospitals, we have acted quickly and ordered independent reviews to identify and resolve any issues."
Welsh hospitals with persistently high death rates were brought to the attention of Sir Bruce by Cynon Valley MP Ann Clwyd last year.Welsh hospitals with persistently high death rates were brought to the attention of Sir Bruce by Cynon Valley MP Ann Clwyd last year.
She is advising Prime Minister David Cameron on how the NHS in England handles complaints. She is advising Mr Cameron on how the NHS in England handles complaints.
In the email to Mr Jones, Sir Bruce said the statistics were worrying and offered assistance with an investigation, having recently held such an inquiry into 14 hospitals in England.In the email to Mr Jones, Sir Bruce said the statistics were worrying and offered assistance with an investigation, having recently held such an inquiry into 14 hospitals in England.
But it has been reported that no reply was received. He said: "There are six hospitals with a persistently high mortality which warrant investigating. I do not have adequate data to form a view."
But it has been reported that no reply was received from the Welsh government.
The statistics are part of a drive to make the NHS more transparent in the wake of the Stafford Hospital scandal.The statistics are part of a drive to make the NHS more transparent in the wake of the Stafford Hospital scandal.
Neglect and abuse at Stafford Hospital led to hundreds of unnecessary deaths between 2005 and 2008 and prompted a public inquiry.Neglect and abuse at Stafford Hospital led to hundreds of unnecessary deaths between 2005 and 2008 and prompted a public inquiry.
Welsh Conservative leader, Andrew RT Davies AM, said: "The concerns raised in this e-mail confirm our serious worries over standards of care in the NHS.Welsh Conservative leader, Andrew RT Davies AM, said: "The concerns raised in this e-mail confirm our serious worries over standards of care in the NHS.
"Professor Keogh's recommendation of 'investigation' into mortality rates should be immediately undertaken and no longer ignored.""Professor Keogh's recommendation of 'investigation' into mortality rates should be immediately undertaken and no longer ignored."