Heart surgery death rates at the hospital are 1.2%

An audit report on Bristol Royal Hospital for Children showed a death rate for heart operations of 1.2%, compared with the national figure of 5.1%.

Out of the 335 cardiac operations performed in the past 12 months on 308 patients - aged from a few days to 18 years - four children did not survive.

The hospital is a regional specialist unit for heart and other paediatric surgery, treating children from across the South West as well as south Wales.

'Delight and pride'

Dr Jackie Cornish, clinical director of Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, said: "The cardiac surgical teams have worked incredibly hard this year, treating more patients than in previous years.

"Despite this, their skill and dedication has resulted in more young patients than ever surviving. I'm sure our patients and their families will share our delight and pride in the unit."

An extensive inquiry was set up into the high death rate among young children having cardiac surgery at the Bristol Royal Infirmary (BRI) between 1988 and 1995.

During that time 29 children died and four were left brain damaged.

The resulting Kennedy report prompted widespread changes in the health service.

After the scandal, heart surgery on children was moved from the BRI to the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children.