9 December 2010

Barts and The London NHS Trust is one of the safest places in the UK to receive medical treatment according to two new reports.

It had a lower than expected number of deaths across the borough’s three hospitals last year, according to the independent Dr Foster’s guide which looks at patient mortality rates across all NHS trusts.

Its mortality rate for 2009-2010 was 89, lower than the national average of 100.  Deaths after surgery scored at 84 were also lower than usual.   And mortalities linked to more dangerous conditions were also lower than the national average at 97.

The Trust also successfully achieved level three in the NHS Litigation Authority’s risk management standards.  There are only two other trusts in London at this level and 20 in the whole country.

The rating means that we are considered by the NHSLA which insures all Trusts against legal action, to be at the lowest risk of being sued by patients or relatives for clinical failings.

To achieve the score, it had to show high levels of clinical care, competence among staff and a safe environment for patients.

The Trust’s Chief Executive, Peter Morris, said:  "This really is an excellent achievement, after an enormous amount of work both by the Risk Management Unit and by managers and clinicians right across the organisation.”

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