Hospital 'fire alarm' over above-expected death rates

  • Wales
The figures were published today by the Welsh Government.

11 out of 17 Welsh general hospitals have higher death rates than should be expected.

The figures were published today by the Welsh Government.

Officials say the information should be considered as a "fire alarm", rather than conclusive proof of a major problem.

The Welsh MP who is leading a review of how the NHS in England handles complaints has told ITV News Cymru Wales that she has been invited to meet the new Health Minister in Wales, Mark Drakeford.

Cynon Valley MP Ann Clwyd said he wrote to her as soon as he was appointed, last week, and has promised to discuss with her more than 2,000 emails and letters she has had regarding complaints.

Read More: Ann Clwyd MP: 'My husband died like a battery hen'

Her review follows the scandal over neglect and abuse of patients at the Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust.

She has previously criticised the care received by her dying husband at the University Hospital of Wales.

The data released today compares the number of deaths at a hospital with the number expected - which is influenced by factors like average age and deprivation.

The Risk Adjusted Mortality Index (RAMI) is calculated as the ratio of the actual number of deaths in a hospital, compared to the expected number of deaths.

The baseline is set at 100 - so anything above that means a higher than expected death rate, and anything below it means a lower than expected death rate.

Here are the figures for Wales' district general hospitals, for October 2011 to September 2012:

  • University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff - 128

  • Llandough, Penarth - 86

  • Prince Charles, Merthyr Tydfil - 102

  • Royal Glamorgan, Llantrisant - 119

  • Royal Gwent, Newport - 117

  • Nevil Hall, Abergavenny - 86

  • Morriston, Swansea - 102

  • Singleton, Swansea - 102

  • Neath Port Talbot, Port Talbot - 102

  • Princess of Wales, Bridgend - 102

  • Bronglais, Aberystwyth - 95

  • Glangwili, Carmarthen - 95

  • Prince Philip, Llanelli - 89

  • Withybush, Haverfordwest - 97

  • Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor - 108

  • Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, Bodelwyddan - 103

  • Wrexham Maelor, Wrexham - 117