Police have launched an investigation into Humber Health Care Partnership, the NHS Trust responsible for Castle Hill Hospital, after several patients died following heart surgery performed at the hospital as reported by the BBC.
Internal documents provided to the BBC suggests some deaths may have been avoided, with concerns that death certificates did not fully disclose the role the heart procedures played.
This has raised serious questions about patient safety and transparency within the hospital.
The documents provided to the BBC raise serious concerns about the care given to several patients during Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implant (TAVI) procedures, a less invasive method of replacing a damaged heart valve. Many cases reportedly resulted in complications, prompting questions over clinical standards and decision making during surgery.
A 2021 report sparked multiple investigations into several patient deaths, including a 2024 Royal College of Physicians review. Families learned of these only after BBC notifying them. During the course of the deaths, seven cardiac consultants warned the hospital’s chief executive about safety concerns following four deaths in six months.
After an 87-year-old woman’s death, the clinical director called for a serious incident investigation, but a vascular surgeon and the TAVI team leader dismissed it as an expected, unfortunate complication.
The 2024 review examined several TAVI-related deaths between 2019 and 2023, revealing troubling care issues. One man’s valve was misplaced, and death certificates for several patients were incomplete or inaccurate. Avoidable complications tied to inexperience raised serious concerns about patient safety and quality of care.
As police intensify their investigation into the suspicious heart operation deaths, families devastated by the losses are likely to pursue compensation in their quest for justice and clarity. The increasing focus on the Trust only adds to the anguish and uncertainty faced by those affected.
Sharado Pharbhoo, Consultant Paralegal, and Specialist Medical Negligence Consultant Paralegal from MDS states “These aren’t just numbers, they are mothers, fathers, brothers, and sisters that are lost. Families deserve answers, justice, and hope amid tragedy. Our thoughts are with the families who have been affected.”
MDS is a specialist medical negligence law firm. We specialise in claims involving cancer, maternity, and cauda equina syndrome. Our expert solicitors represent clients all around England and Wales, and we are dedicated to helping people who have been injured by medical negligence.
If you are concerned about any care that you or a member of your family has received, please contact our experienced team on 0116 254 7456 or email: enquiries@moosaduke.com. You can also enquire online by clicking here.
