Report: Surgeons’ feud risked patients
A “toxic” feud between rival camps at a troubled heart surgery unit left staff feeling a high death rate was inevitable, according to a leaked report.
St George’s Hospital heart unit was consumed by a “dark force” and patients were put at risk by a dysfunctional team of surgeons, an investigation concluded.
The damning review was written by former NHS England deputy medical director Mike Bewick in response to higher mortality rates at the hospital.
He found the south London facility had a cardiac surgery death rate of 3.7% – almost double the national 2% average.
Internal scrutiny was said to be “inadequate” and the department was riven between “two camps” exhibiting “tribal-like activity”.
Professor Bewick’s review was quoted as saying: “Some felt there was a persistent toxic atmosphere and stated there was a ‘dark force’ in the unit.”
It added: “In our view, the whole team shares responsibility for the failure to significantly improve professional relationships and to a degree surgical mortality.”
Conversations with 39 staff revealed they were shocked by the death rate, but “most felt that poor performance was inevitable due to the pervading atmosphere”.
A spokesman for St George’s said recommendations from Prof Bewick were being implemented “at pace”.