Criticism over leak of heart unit mortality rate letter

The document appears to show the Leeds General Infirmary unit had higher than expected deaths between 2010 and 2013.

However hospital bosses and the body which compiled the figures were forced to explain the cases mentioned had been previously examined – and there was no cause for concern about care.

Campaigners said the “disturbing” leak was the latest smear against the previously-threatened Leeds unit.

Sharon Cheng, of charity the Children’s Heart Surgery Fund, said they were “disturbed and disappointed”: “This is the latest in more than three years of an agenda against the Leeds unit, which is not swayed by facts and serves only to unnecessarily unsettle and frighten patients and their families.

“This kind of behaviour must stop so that the surgeons and staff of the Leeds unit can focus on their lifesaving work, and patients can be cared for and know that they are safe. This is the reality of their work – not the scurrilous claims of these leaks and smears.”

The leaked letter was sent by the National Institute for Cardiovascular Outcomes Research (NICOR), which collects data about heart surgery, to Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and appears to say data shows higher than expected death rates.

But a review of all deaths between 2009 and 2013, published earlier this year and using the same figures, found no issues. A further report relating to the suspension of operations last year is expected soon.

Dr Yvette Oade, chief medical officer for Leeds Teaching Hospitals, said: “We are absolutely clear that there are no concerns about safety at our unit and we are pleased that NHS England has confirmed this following an independent review.”

A spokesman for NICOR said survival rates may be affected by complexity of cases and small numbers, and there was a one in 40 chance that a hospital would reach a warning limit by chance.

The figures will be officially published tomorrow.