Plaid Cymru shadow health Minister Elin Jones has expressed serious concerns about mortality rates at two Welsh Hospitals.
Figures out today show persistently higher than expected mortality rates for West Wales General Hospital and Neath Port Talbot hospitals.
Figures for West Wales General Hospital show that the new ‘Welsh RAMI’ mortality index – designed to be more comparable with England – is persistently at 120. The Baseline is 100.
The figures for Neath Port Talbot hospital are also significantly higher than the baseline. Four other hospitals in Wales also have figures higher than this baseline.
These figures have been published on the ‘mylocalhealthservice’ website, which is based on Plaid Cymru’s proposal for the regular publication of hospital performance information.
RAMI statistics have long been used to measure the performance of hospitals, with each hospital being given an expected mortality rate based upon a number of factors such as the types of procedures carried out. Rates above 100 should act as ‘fire alarms’ for administrators.
Plaid Cymru shadow Minister for Health, Elin Jones AM, said:
“These are persistently high mortality rates and are cause for serious concern. There has to be an urgent and forensic investigation as to why this is the case.
“It is essential that the Minister makes an early report to the communities that are served by these hospitals, and the wider population, on the findings of this investigation, and to outline the action that he will be taking to rectify the problems.”
