Chief Executive Briefing on Interventional Neuroradiology Issues

This is the fourth CEO briefing on issues relating to Interventional Neuroradiology. The briefing covers an update on the clinical review of cases by Dr Andrew Molyneux, the Internal Audit Report on a review of a claim for out of hours reporting by Dr Jadun and an update on the review of the scans undertaken over a bank holiday period which led to the claim for the out of hours payment.

Clinical Case Review by Dr Molyneux

Dr Andrew Molyneux, Senior Clinical Research Fellow at Oxford visited the Trust week commencing Monday 22nd August. Dr Molyneux reviewed the ten cases included in the report following the 2008 review and he has also reviewed cases within the Interventional Neuroradiology Department from June 2010 to the present day where any complications had been reported. In addition, Dr Molyneux carried out some random sampling of the work of the Department. Dr Molyneux's written report is expected mid/late September but in the verbal feedback given to Dr G Russell, Mrs M Johnson and myself, he gave his opinion that "The service provided at UHNS for patients suffering from stroke and brain haemorrhage is good with no issues regarding technical performance found."

I am delighted that this should give much needed reassurance to the public of North Staffordshire and beyond, particularly after recent media coverage.

As indicated in Dr Molyneux's previous report, he will outline areas where issues of judgement and behaviour could impact on the effective working of the Department and care.

Dr Molyneux indicated that in the case of rarer, non-acute complex cases, it may be more appropriate to transfer such cases to larger Interventional Neuroradiology centres covering a wider population than that covered by UHNS.

Once the final written report is available I will make this public.

Update on Review of Scans completed between 27th - 30th August

I am pleased to report that all of the scans reported during this time have been re-reported and no clinically significant discrepancies or errors found.

Internal Audit Report

As I anticipated, the above report concluded the following: "Based on the work carried out as part of this review, we confirmed that the claim submitted by Dr Jadun complied with established procedures in place within the Imaging Directorate at the time. We also confirmed that the claim is based on actual reporting activity carried out during the period 27th to 30th August 2010. As such, we have concluded that this claim was bonafide i.e. a proper claim for activity delivered."

A copy of the report can be obtained from Sue Pantin, Senior Communications Manager, on 01782 555400 or sue.pantin@uhns.nhs.uk.

I intend to pull together into a single document all the recommendations from the reviews into Interventional Neuroradiology for the Public Trust Board meeting on 4th November.

I anticipate that the subsequent action plan will be monitored through the Quality Assurance Committee which is a sub committee of the Trust Board.

Julia Bridgewater, Chief Executive