Heart surgery survival rate depends on hospital

Survival after heart surgery varies greatly depending on which hospital treats the patient, according to a report.

Walsgrave hospital in Coventry is named as having the highest death rate for coronary artery bypass surgery, with a standardised mortality ratio of 182 compared to the national average of 100. United Bristol Healthcare Trust leads with a ratio of 48.

The survey is published in the Times' hospital consultants' guide, and was compiled by an independent consultancy, Dr Foster, with the assistance of the Department of Health.

A spokeswoman for the department said: "One thing these tables make very clear is that, across the NHS, surgical performance is improving, and we think increasing openness about data is involved in that.

"But, of course, there are some hospitals whose progress has not matched up to that overall improvement.

"We expect trusts to look at their data, think carefully about why it may be different to the national improvement and - where the differences can't be accounted for in terms of case-mix or other issues - take action to improve their record as a matter of urgency."