Medics' NHS league table mortality figures mired in confusion

[Northerner]

The launch of the first performance league tables for medics were thrown into confusion on Friday when it emerged that several surgeons had been erroneously listed as having the highest crude mortality rates in the country.

The tables, the centrepiece of the government's new transparent NHS, are supposed to build public confidence by showing patients how well consultants across England perform against each other.

Vascular surgeons, who repair major blood vessels and prevent strokes, were the first of a new group of nine specialities to publish the information, including crude death rates. The figures are based on five years of data from patients who had their operation from 2008.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2013/jun/28/mortality-figures-surgeons-nhs-estimates

 

[LeeLee]

I wonder how many patients will check out the figures before surgery takes place, and how many would rather not know. I have spoken at length to a relative of someone who is scheduled for surgery this week and is firmly in the latter camp.

 

[HOBIE]

If you know whats going to happen every time you stepped outside the door you might not bother 😱. Some things are best not knowing about unless its really bad & then so called bosses should be looking out for us 😉