Hospital chairman calls in help following death rate investigation (From The Bolton News)

Hospital chairman calls in help following death rate investigation

2:50pm Thursday 28th February 2013 in News By Jessica Bell, Health reporter

Hospital chairman calls in help following death rate investigation

• More people being brought in to the Royal Bolton Hospital
• Chief executive Dr Jackie Bene stepped aside
• 800 cases of septicaemia recorded when similar sized trusts expected to have 200
• Chairman David Wakefield calls it "extraordinary times"
• Former chairman of Trust for eight years, Cllr Cliff Morris "would like to await the outcome" of investigation before commenting

THE boss of the Royal Bolton Hospital says he will draft in reinforcements to cope with running the Trust in the wake of a mortality rate investigation.

David Wakefield, the expert brought in by health watchdog Monitor six months ago, is due to unveil his plan to board members today.

He said he would be “bringing in additional resources”, which he conceded meant more people.

It comes after the trust’s acting chief executive Dr Jackie Bene “stepped aside” earlier this week when healthcare information expert Dr Foster claimed there were “significant discrepancies” in the hospital’s data regarding the “coding” of cases of septicaemia.

Dr Foster, which measures mortality rates in hospitals, had found Bolton had recorded 800 cases of septicaemia between March, 2011 and April, 2012, when a similar sized trust would expect to have just 200.

They have taken a sample of 200 of the cases and have reviewed coding practices in 50.

As reported exclusively in The Bolton News yesterday, Bolton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), who commissioned the investigation, say the interim findings show “cause for concern”.

The investigation will publish its findings next Wednesday.

If cases have been coded incorrectly it could drastically affect Bolton’s mortality figures, as septicaemia deaths are not included in comparable data.

It could also affect finances, as cases of septicaemia will receive higher payments than other infections. Mr Wakefield, interim chairman at the Trust, said it was an independent review and he had not seen the results.

But he said that as far as he understood it, the investigation was about whether Bolton’s coding practices had adhered to national guidelines.

He added: “The issue is whether the clinical coding is consistent and within national guidelines.

“If we find there is an inconsistent coding then there are implications, but we need to wait for the independent review.”

Mr Wakefield said he and Dr Bene, who has been medical director at the Trust since 2008 and a consultant for 14 years, had decided she should “step aside” while the review was completed.

Dr Bene was temporarily leading the Trust, after the early retirement of former chief executive Lesley Doherty at Christmas, and Nicky Ingham, the director of workforce, has been acting deputy chief executive since the start of January.

Mr Wakefield said in normal circumstances, the deputy would lead the Trust but said these were “extraordinary times” and he “felt the need to bring in support”.

Mr Wakefield, who is also chairman at Milton Keynes Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and divides his time between there and Bolton, said he was currently running the trust.

He added he had cancelled his commitments in Milton Keynes this week and was in discussions to “bring in additional resources to bolster the team”.

Mr Wakefield also said he felt capable of running both trusts, adding: “It is difficult, but with the right executive team it is doable for a limited period.”

A spokesperson for Dr Foster said they were unable to comment until the review was completed.

Cllr Andy Morgan, who sits on the Health, Overview and Scrutiny Committee, called for the leadership at the Trust to be stabilised as soon as possible.

He added: “Whoever is appointed to lead the hospital in the interim should obviously get our full support but this staggering from one chief executive and crisis to the next and the uncertainty that this brings cannot be allowed to continue.

“The chairman needs to start the recruitment process again as a matter of urgency to appoint a new chief executive who can take charge and lead the board and staff out of the current turmoil it is in.

“Only then can the public and more importantly the staff have the stability needed and confidence that brings with regards the future of the hospital.”

Leader of Bolton Council, Cllr Cliff Morris, who was chairman of the Trust for eight years until he “left early” in August, said he did not feel able to comment.

He added: “I am pleased that there is an investigation into the death rates at the hospital, but would like to await the outcome of the report on March 6 before making a further comment.”

Harry Hanley, secretary of Staff Side at the Royal Bolton Hospital, said: “The situation appears as though it could be very serious. However, we can’t make any comments until we get more facts about it.

“We are going to wait until the report is released next week.”

Harry Hanley, secretary of Staff Side at the Royal Bolton Hospital, said: “The situation appears as though it could be very serious. However, we can’t make any comments until we get more facts about it.

“We are going to wait until the report is released next week.”

Council bosses also promised to provide “support” should it be needed.

Bolton Council’s chief executive Sean Harriss, said: “We are aware of the situation and will await the outcome of the report next week before commenting on any detail.

“In the meantime, as was agreed at yesterday’s Shadow Health and Well Being Board, we are intending to work with our health partners in Bolton to provide any support that may be needed.”