Merseyside hospitals come top and bottom of death rate list

Merseyside hospitals today came top and bottom of a list of death rates.A survey released by the Dr Foster hospital guide revealed mortality in the North West remained above national levels.


At Southport and Ormskirk hospitals, death rates were higher than expected between September 2009 and August this year.But Fazakerley hospital was only one of two in the North West where death rates were lower than predicted.

According to Dr Foster, 303 extra lives were saved at the hospital between September last year and August 2010 than expected.

Death rates – otherwise known as Hospital Standardised Mortality Ratios – decreased overall across the NHS.

The report found only 19 of 147 English hospital trusts now have significantly high death rates, compared with 27 last year.

James Birrell, chief executive of Fazakerley hospital, said: “The mortality ratio is probably the single most important of quality and safety at a hospital.

“A range of projects are improving safety at our trust.

“But the most successful work all has one thing in common – the engagement of frontline staff.

“We know when doctors, nurses, health professionals and other supporting teams work together, their efforts make most impact.”

Initiatives include a campaign to improve hygiene standards, which reduced C Difficile rates by 70% between 2008-10, and the introduction of a round-the-clock medical emergency team, which reduced cardiac arrests by 30% since its launch.

Dr Geraldine Boocock, medical director at Southport and Ormskirk hospitals, said: “We recognise some patients and families will be concerned.

“I can reassure them survival rates for patients at Southport and Ormskirk continue to improve.

“But in the 12 months covered by the Dr Foster report, our rate of improvement did not keep pace with other hospital trusts.

“This may give the misleading impression our overall survival rate got worse when it did not.

“We have already taken action to ensure it not only makes up for the slowdown in performance, but accelerates improvement.”

source: www.southportvisitor.co.uk