Recent media coverage about challenges within the adult cardiac surgery department at the Freeman Hospital has looked at some long-standing cultural challenges and treatment outcomes for a small number of patients prior to 2022.
We are committed to being open and honest about these issues, and have worked hard over the past few years to understand what went wrong, to listen to those affected, to share information and to make meaningful improvements.
The CQC inspected the service in 2023, and several internal and external reviews have also taken place. The findings of four of these reviews were published in May 2024 and have led to a series of recommendations, many of which have already been implemented.
We are mindful that media coverage of this nature can affect public confidence and may be upsetting.
While cardiac surgery is complex and high-risk, we would want to provide reassurance that the Freeman remains a centre of excellence, delivering some of the most specialist procedures in the country. Outcomes for patients continue to be at or above national benchmarks.
If you have a specific query or concern about cardiac surgery or treatment, please get in touch at:
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 0191 223 1382
Statement from the trust issued to the BBC on Monday 15 September:
Nothing is more important than the quality and safety of care we provide. It is our top priority and whenever concerns are raised it is right that they are thoroughly investigated.
Cardiac surgery is complex and, by its nature, can be very high risk but the Freeman Hospital remains a centre of excellence for lung and heart care and carries out some of the most complex operations in the country. The department’s performance, benchmarked against the latest outcome and quality data, continues to be at or above the national average.
Over the last few years, we have undertaken and commissioned several reviews and investigations into the culture and behaviours, clinical safety and governance of the adult cardiac surgery department at the Freeman Hospital.
Following concerns raised by colleagues, one such investigation, involving independent experts, found that eight patients came to avoidable harm due to unexpected or unintended events during complex high-risk surgery.
This investigation focussed on the practice of one consultant surgeon, despite their overall surgical outcome statistics being in line with the national average.
We fully acknowledge that there were failings in some areas of the department, and we offer our unreserved apologies for this. At the time we met individually with patients and families affected, and offered our sincere apologies, an explanation and ongoing support. We understand that this does not take away any of the loss and hurt they have suffered.
A referral was made to the GMC who are investigating through their usual processes and the consultant remains licensed to practise with no restrictions.
The consultant is employed by Newcastle Hospitals but is not currently operating. In line with the Trust’s requirements, they have completed the first stage of a structured return to work, in a different hospital Trust. We are currently considering the next stage of this phased return, in line with appropriate standards, review recommendations and external advice.
Throughout these processes the Trust’s senior clinical leaders, with executive oversight, have sought to act in the best interests of patients seeking to maintain and protect patient safety at all times, taking account of concerns shared by clinical colleagues.
We have undertaken extensive work to address all of the issues raised, with updates regularly reported to the Trust Board, and we have made significant progress in addressing failings. Work remains ongoing to support the cardiac surgery department with further improvements.
We are not aware that any other referrals were made to the GMC.
Background information:
A number of the reviews and investigations (mentioned above) were externally commissioned to ensure fully independent opinions were obtained on which to base our decision making.
We have sought to publish the four main reviews to the fullest extent possible, consistent with individual confidentiality. These were discussed at the Board of Directors in May 2024 and are available on our website.
