11/02/13….Hospital authority in ‘high death rate’ investigation

MORE hospital authorities, including that responsible for Thame Community Hospital, have been added to the list of those being investigated following reports into failings at Stafford Hospital.

Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust is one of nine more authorities, making 14 in all, that will be investigated because of high death rates amongst patients, following a damning report on the NHS over its handling of the Stafford Hospital scandal.

The NHS’s system of regulation and monitoring was heavily criticised by the Francis inquiry last week.

Buckinghamshire Healthcare is responsible for several hospitals, including Stoke Mandeville and Amersham.

It is important to state that there is no evidence so far that death rates at Thame Community Hospital, or any particular hospital within the Trust’s remit has given cause for concern at this stage.

NB We have contacted Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust and await their response.