Reckless surgeon is struck off after children’s deaths
A CHILDREN’S heart surgeon at the centre of a hospital scandal over high death rates has been struck off the medical register over his ‘reckless disregard’ for patient safety.
Consultant cardiologist Nihal Weerasena, 63, was found guilty of ‘serious and persistent’ misconduct in relation to six cases between 2008 and 2012, including at least two which involved the death of a child.
In one case, seven-year-old Eve Burton died after a botched operation to replace a heart valve.
But The Mail on Sunday understands Mr Weerasena may have made serious errors in up to 39 cases over 12 years while he was employed by Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.
Leeds General Infirmary referred 25 cases to the General Medical Council for its investi- gation. Lawyers are involved in another 14 cases.
The scandal, uncovered by The Mail on Sunday in 2013, led to all operations at the heart unit being halted while an inquiry took place. There were claims more than double the average number of children were dying at the unit, which was under threat of closure.
Now it has been claimed that the trust covered up mistakes by Mr Weerasena to keep open the unit, which brings in £20million a year.
Former Government heart tsar Professor Sir Roger Boyle told the BBC’s Inside Out the Trust ‘disguised’ its problems.
Asked if this involved lying, he replied: ‘To be blunt about it, yes.’ Sir Roger, former director of the National Institute for Cardiovascular Outcomes Research, which provided the mortality figures, said: ‘I think they were terrified the unit would be removed from the hospital and that would be a big blight both in terms of the reputation of the place and also in terms of the financial income.’
The trust denied his claims, adding: ‘Financial concerns were not a consideration during this time.’
Concerns were raised about the Sri Lanka-born surgeon in 2005. After an investigation, he stopped doing three procedures on young children.
But a document reveals concerns were still being discussed in 2011 and he continued operating until February 2013.
In a statement, Mr Weerasena claimed he was being blamed for other problems in the unit.
He said: ‘I can only conclude the Trust wanted to get rid of me so that they can reorganise the unit as it was under scrutiny at the time.’