Hospital Heart Op Ban Lifted

HEART transplants can be carried out again at Papworth Hospital after they were suspended because of a high number of deaths.

An investigation was launched earlier this month following a fivefold increase in mortalities.

But a review by the Healthcare Commission found the quality of care to be good and said there were no common factors to explain the rise in deaths.

But they added that a shortage of organs for transplant was forcing surgeons to use hearts from older donors.

Papworth chief Stephen Bridge said: “This report shows we have robust systems in place.”

Eight patients died within 30 days of their ops at the hospital near Cambridge, a total of 35 per cent. The national average is 10 per cent.

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