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THE deaths of some rheumatology patients are to be referred to the Viscount, as health officials believe they could have been caused by treatment at the General Hospital.

Clinicians are reviewing the deaths of 182 such patients since January 2019, following last year’s highly critical Royal College of Physicians report, which described care in rheumatology as “well below” what would be considered acceptable.

The Viscount will consider whether inquests should be opened following the referral of cases.

Speaking at a Health and Social Security Scrutiny Panel hearing, deputy medical director Simon West said that the process involves a “mortality learning review”.

This comprises a review by an independent rheumatologist, an independent physician and then a panel meeting with two other senior doctors.

Mr West explained that, if they all felt collectively that they believed there was a concern that needed to be raised to the Viscount, “then that would occur”.

He continued: “So far we have reviewed, I think, 90 records – and out of that a very small proportion of patients have come to the need to actually make notification to the Viscount.

“That process will continue until all the records have been seen and then we will have to meet with the Viscount to determine what the Viscount wishes to do.”

Deputy Jonathan Renouf asked: “Can I just clarify – when you say they’ve been sent to the Viscount is that because the assessment of all of the professionals involved was that it is possible, or likely in fact, that deaths were caused as a result of the treatment?”

Mr West replied: “That is correct.”

Deputy Lucy Stephenson asked for specifics about the number of cases referred.

Mr West said: “I can’t recall the exact number that we feel need to be referred to the Viscount. In the first cohort of patients there were 30 patients reviewed. That distilled down to 11 patients that we wished to undertake further review of. We reviewed down to a small number – in the order of ones – that we felt might need to be looked at by the Viscount.”

He added: “But as I say, we’ve got to review all of those before we then make any further recommendations.”

Deputy Stephenson asked: “At what stage are families informed?”

Mr West explained that there is “a duty of candour process” and that none of the families would be notified “until the Viscount makes a determination”, although he said they would be aware the process was taking place.

“That would be the normal practice, in terms of review – decision whether something needs to be taken forward with the family and then speaking to the family.”

He noted that doing otherwise would be “speculating” and that it would be “unfair” to give families “undue concern and raise anxieties”.

Health Minister Tom Binet also stressed that “it’s a matter for the Viscount” and that “one has to wait until we find out what the Viscount has to say”.

Speaking to the JEP following the hearing, Deputy Renouf said: “I think we have got a serious situation here where it is looking likely that people died as a result of care received in the Hospital.”

He acknowledged that it was “a difficult balancing act” regarding what stage families should be informed, but urged the government to be “as open, transparent and timely as possible” throughout the whole process.

A report on whether the deaths of some former hospital patients might be linked to their rheumatology treatment is to be presented to the Health Advisory Board at its July meeting.