According to the BBC, police have launched an investigation into the deaths of 11 patients following heart operations at Castle Hill Hospital near Hull which is operated by Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. The BBC reports that the documents suggest that the patients suffered avoidable harm.
Humberside Police who are leading the investigation have confirmed that the investigation was ”in the very early stages”.
The concerns centre around the care of 11 patients who all had Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVI). The deaths occurred between October 2019 and May 2023.
What is a TAVI?
TAVI is a minimally invasive procedure in which a new aortic valve is inserted into the heart to treat aortic stenosis. The procedure involves inserting a catheter into a blood vessel, usually in the groin or chest, and guiding it to the heart. A new replacement valve is then delivered through the catheter and placed over the old, damaged valve. TAVI is an alternative to conventional valve replacement and generally offered to patients who are at high risk for open-heart surgery, such as those with medical problems or those who are frail.
What are the concerns?
The BBC report suggests that the cardiology department at Castle Hill Hospital’s TAVI mortality rate at the time was three times higher than the UK average. Staff raised concerns within the hospital which led to several reviews. In 2020, the Royal College of Physicians was asked to assess the cardiology department in which the TAVI team were operating, including two of the deaths arising from the TAVI procedure. The report, completed in 2021, led to a second review which was conducted by healthcare consultancy firm IQ4U and a recommendation was made for a third review of all 11 deaths which was conducted by the Royal College of Physicians and concluded in early 2024. The patients’ families were unaware of the reviews until the BBC notified them upon obtaining copies of them.
In 2021, seven cardiac consultants also expressed their concerns over the safety and transparency of the TAVI service at the hospital in a letter to the hospital’s chief executive. This letter was sent less than 6 months after the deaths of four of the eleven patients.
In one patient care review, which formed part of both of the Royal College of Physician reviews, it was found that pre-operative checks were inadequate leading to an avoidable vascular complication during the TAVI procedure which sadly resulted in the patient’s death. Furthermore, the patient’s death certificate did not refer to the procedure which was also addressed by the Royal College of Physicians review in 2024. In another patient, the 2024 review found there to be ”poor clinical decision making” at every stage, including the incorrect positioning of the TAVI valve. Various other concerns were raised.
How can we help?
We understand that the findings of these reviews and the ongoing police investigation is going to be upsetting and concerning to patients of the hospital and their loved ones, particularly if their loved one’s care has formed part of the reviews.
Patients and their loved ones deserve answers about the care they have received, especially if that care has materially contributed to the deterioration of their condition or death.
If you or your family member have received care from Castle Hill Hospital and have concerns, our specialist clinical negligence team can support you. To have a free, confidential discussion with a member of our team call us on 0800 044 8488 or fill in our contact form so we can call you back at a time convenient for you. All discussions are completely free of charge on a no obligation basis and aim to help those affected understand what may have happened and what their options are.
