It is reassuring for the surgeons in this hospital that their technical craftsmanship of undertaking coronary artery bypass grafts is not at fault

Ramesh Patel

It showed that Walsgrave Hospital in Coventry had the highest death rate of any hospital which carries out the procedure in England and Wales.

The unit had a mortality ratio of 182. The national average was 100.

A report by the University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, which runs the hospital, says Walsgrave was hit by a 25% increase in emergency patients coming from West Midlands heart units.

Far flung

The report, by consultant cardiothoracic surgeon Ramesh Patel, said emergency patients had come from Wolverhampton, Walsall, Sutton Coldfield and Birmingham after the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, launched a drive to reduce waiting times.

Mr Patel wrote: "This enforced referral to Walsgrave may account for the rise in the mortality outcomes.

"It was in this year, 1999 to 2000, that there was a waiting list initiative for Walsgrave to deal with the long waiters from Queen Elizabeth Hospital cardiac surgery unit."

Mr Patel said mortality rates for non-emergency heart patients over the last four years were as good as anywhere in the country, with more than 98% of Walsgrave patients undergoing successful operations.

Mr Patel added: "It is reassuring for the surgeons in this hospital that their technical craftsmanship of undertaking coronary artery bypass grafts is not at fault.

"If it were, then there would be significant differences between units."