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Report slams hospital's shortage 'Children at risk' over shortage
(1 day later)
Children facing heart surgery in Bristol could be at risk because of a lack of specialists, a report claims.Children facing heart surgery in Bristol could be at risk because of a lack of specialists, a report claims.
It comes after baby Abbie Hattam died in May 2006 when a member of staff made a mistake during a heart operation.It comes after baby Abbie Hattam died in May 2006 when a member of staff made a mistake during a heart operation.
Now the head of the cardiac unit at the Children's Hospital is leaving over his claims the trust tried to stop him speaking out about the staff shortage. An inquiry into her death said there were not enough blood circulation specialists, and now a report has found there is still a shortage.
The United Bristol Healthcare Trust (UBHT) has denied any suggestion that it tried to intimidate Ash Pawade. Bristol's Children's Hospital said it has a plan for adequate cover and no children were at risk.
The hospital has said it was unfortunate Mr Pawade was leaving on grounds of ill health.
'Potential conflict''Potential conflict'
The report says there are still not enough perfusionists at the hospital. After Abbie's death an investigation said there were not enough perfusionists - blood circulation specialists who operate heart and lung bypass equipment during surgery.
The hospital says it has an action plan to put in place adequate cover and that children were not at risk. And now a report, which was commissioned by the United Bristol Healthcare Trust (UBHT) as part of its programme of review and improvement, said that while results were still good, there was still a shortage of perfusionists at the hospital which meant the few there had to cover both adult and child theatres with "potential conflict".
A perfusionist is a blood circulation specialist who operates heart and lung bypass equipment during surgery to keep the patient alive while the surgeon repairs the heart. Ash Pawade, head of the cardiac unit at the Children's Hospital, is leaving over his claims the trust tried to stop him speaking out about the shortage.
The original investigation after Abbie's death said there were not enough perfusionists. He told the BBC: "I maintained throughout the inquest that there were critical shortages within the perfusion department.
Now, three years on, the review of the cardiac unit at the hospital says nothing has changed. The review says while results are still good, there is still a shortage of perfusionists which means the few at the hospital have to cover both adult and child theatres with 'potential conflict'.
I felt very vulnerable and psychologically that broke my back Ash Pawade
Ash Pawade told the BBC: "I maintained throughout the inquest that there were critical shortages within the perfusion department.
"Management maintained the stance that that wasn't an issue. Things finally came to a head during the weekend after Abbie's inquest."Management maintained the stance that that wasn't an issue. Things finally came to a head during the weekend after Abbie's inquest.
"Bad things were conveyed to me from somebody high up within the trust. Vile things which I can't repeat for legal reasons."Bad things were conveyed to me from somebody high up within the trust. Vile things which I can't repeat for legal reasons.
"I felt very vulnerable and psychologically that broke my back.""I felt very vulnerable and psychologically that broke my back."
But the trust has denied it tried to intimidate Mr Pawade. Low morale
The trust denied it tried to intimidate Mr Pawade.
UBHT spokesman Dr Jonathan Sheffield said: "Mr Pawade took out a grievance about something that actually when reflected upon in the grievance it was him that contacted the individual concerned out of hours at that person's home address.UBHT spokesman Dr Jonathan Sheffield said: "Mr Pawade took out a grievance about something that actually when reflected upon in the grievance it was him that contacted the individual concerned out of hours at that person's home address.
"We are puzzled why he believes that that should be an example of intimidation.""We are puzzled why he believes that that should be an example of intimidation."
Good results The Paediatric Cardiac review also criticised management for the way they handled events surrounding Abbie's death and said morale was still low.
The report also criticises management for the way they handled events surrounding Abbie's death. It said Mr Pawade's departure gave an impression of a surgical unit that lacked direction and the lack of perfusionists could put the small number of patients who needed heart bypasses for days on end at risk.
The report says there is widespread feeling that management did not handle Abbie's death well and adds that morale is still low. The review concluded there was significant concern that good results were masking a number of problems, which if not resolved, will impact on patient care.
It adds Mr Pawade's departure gives an impression of a surgical unit that lacks direction and says the lack of perfusionists could put the small number of patients who need heart bypasses for days on end, at risk.
It concludes there is significant concern that good results are masking a number of problems, which if not resolved, will impact on patient care.