NHS has published data on vascular surgeons
The NHS has published data on vascular surgeons which will allow patients to compare information on an individual surgeon’s performance.
For the first time, patients will be able to view the number of times surgeons have carried out a procedure and compare mortality rates. Nearly 500 vascular surgeons are listed in the tables - the first wave of medical professionals across ten different specialties to be listed. Performance data for nine other specialisms is scheduled to be released in the next few weeks which will mean patients can view information on 3,500 medics.
The move is to encourage more transparency in the health service. Until now, performance based information had only been available for heart surgeons.
Critics have suggested that the data may be used as league tables which do not take into account the different skills of individual surgeons or that figures for more complex procedures could be misleading.
Out of the vascular surgeons listed today, five surgeons refused to be ranked in the tables and have been publically named as having opted out.
Specialises in representing victims of clinical negligence
Linda Millband from Thompsons Solicitors who specialises in representing victims of clinical negligence, commented:
“The move towards more transparency in the health service is an enormous step in the right direction. Patients who undergo surgery have a right to know how experienced their surgeon is. Medical procedures that go wrong as a result of clinical negligence devastate people’s lives.l from Thompsons Solicitors who specialises in representing victims of clinical negligence, commented:
“I welcome anything that encourages transparency between patient and doctor and can improve the success of operations.”
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