Leeds Kids' Care Report Slams Whistleblowers

Written By Unknown on Selasa, 28 Oktober 2014 | 20.49

By Gerard Tubb, North of England Correspondent

An independent investigation into the temporary closure of children's heart surgery in Leeds last year has blamed a badly-compiled dossier of complaints and poorly-managed medics.

The strongest criticism for the 11-day closure in March 2013 by NHS England over safety concerns is levelled at the rival Newcastle children's heart unit which claimed it was whistleblowing on failings in Leeds.

Independent investigators have accused medics from Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Trust and its chief executive Sir Leonard Fenwick of passing on unsubstantiated complaints.

"Reporting the unchecked allegations of others is not whistleblowing, and Newcastle should have made the status of their concerns clearer when they reported them," it said.

Video: Bad Report Halted Kids' Heart Ops

The report blames heart specialists at both units for "disagreements and personality clashes" and says management at both centres could have been better.

"Managers at affected trusts... have a responsibility to ensure that strong, respectful relationships are maintained between staff at 'competing' trusts," it says.

The rivalry between the trusts followed a bitter row over a decision by NHS England to close the Leeds unit and retain the Newcastle service, which has since been placed under review.

The political nature of some complaints from parents in the Newcastle "dossier" were also criticised.

Video: 'Forgotten Families' Of Hospital

"Those receiving the concerns and acting on them should have distinguished between concerns to which parents wanted answers and those being communicated for political purposes," the report says.

NHS England said at the time that the closure was for a "constellation" of reasons including poor data submission and the absence of both senior heart surgeons, one of whom was on holiday, the other under internal investigation.

The report backs NHS England's stance, saying: "Leeds senior management at the time should have ensured that data (on heart surgery patients) was full, accurate and submitted on time."

Sky News revealed last week that the second surgeon, Nihal Weerasena, is now under investigation by the General Medical Council over allegations about his fitness to practise.

Video: Leeds Hospital: Parents' Outrage

The report, described as the final "overarching" review of events that led to the closure has been welcomed by NHS England, which commissioned it.

NHS England's deputy medical director, Dr Mike Bewick, said: "Patients should be reassured that this service has been rigorously scrutinised and has improved as a result.

"Patients and the public can have confidence that this is a well-run unit and is now in a position to go from strength to strength."

The closure came the month after the publication of the Francis report into failings at Mid Staffordshire which warned that the NHS must act on safety concerns.


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