Trust hits back on death rates

THE trust that runs the Royal Oldham Hospital has defended itself against concerns over high rates of unexpected deaths.

Patients group Cure the NHS claims more than 3,000 people have died than expected at the Trust, which runs four hospitals, over an 11-year period.

The figures were from leading health expert Professor Sir Brian Jarman, from Imperial College, but the Pennine Acute Hospitals Trust says there are several ways of calculating mortality rates and the results can vary widely depending on the methodology.

The trust uses data from CHKS, a leading independent provider of healthcare intelligence that works with 150 healthcare providers, which shows mortality rates falling year on year.

Since 2008, this data shows 832 fewer patients have died in the trust’s hospitals than expected. And it has set a target of reducing mortality by a further 5 per cent in 2010-11.

The trust is also working with Professor Jarman, along with eight other trusts, to study his data.

Trust chief executive John Saxby said: “Mortality data is an indicator that needs checking out. That is what we are doing. While we do not believe there is a underlying problem with the care we provide, we have to be certain.

“As an additional measure we have, therefore, asked Professor Jarman to work with us to further analyse our mortality data.”

He added that any publicised high death rates are a concern for the trust.

Mr Saxby also pointed out that mortality statistics don’t necessarily reflect poor quality care and can be attributable to a range of factors including the health of the local population.

He stressed good progress has been made in many areas related to patient safety, including reducing the number of hospital-acquired MRSA infections (by 10 per cent last year) and C diff infections (by 26 per cent.) It’s also involved in a number of initiatives to improve patient safety.

Medical director Ruth Jameson said: “Good patient care and safety across all our hospitals and services continue to be the trust’s highest priority.”

l TOMORROW: two Oldham families explain why they feel their loved ones were failed by the NHS.