Hinchingbrooke Hospital

CIRCLE representatives have pledged to push through changes in bowel surgery care at Hinchingbrooke Hospital following a series of controversial deaths among patients.

The private management team confirmed this week they will be working with Hinchingbrooke health Care NHS Trust interim chief executive Nigel Beverley to overhaul colorectal practice at the hospital, which was the focus of an independent external review last year.

Cambridgeshire coroners had called for an investigation into the practice after two former patients died from complications during surgery. They said they had “serious concerns” about the patients’ treatment and pointed to a total lack of communication between surgical teams, managerial staff, list planners and key theatre personnel.

A review undertaken by the Royal College of Surgeons was completed at the beginning of November and its report was passed to hospital bosses. Sources say an action plan will be published in three to four weeks time.

Mr Beverley said: “We have now received the full report from the Royal College of Surgeons and are currently considering the recommendations and pulling together an action plan. Circle have been involved throughout this process and will continue to treat this a priority.”