InfoCoBuild

The Heart of the Matter

The Bristol Scandal and its Consequences: Politics, Rationalisation and the Use and Abuse of Information. In the 1990s a high mortality for certain operations became evident in Bristol as a result of findings by a 'whistle-blowing' anaesthetist. Information was compared with data from other centres and the General Medical Council investigation led to surgeons and the medical director involved being struck off. The Bristol Inquiry was then launched, leading to over 160 recommendations with far reaching implications with major consequences for change in the NHS. But how many of these were put into practice, and how different is the medical practice as a result today?

Martin Elliott is Gresham Professor of Physic and Co-Medical Director at The Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London (GOSH). He led the cardiorespiratory and thoracic transplant teams at GOSH for many years, and established, and is Director of the National Service for Severe Tracheal Disease in Children, the largest such service in the world. (from gresham.ac.uk)

Go to the Series Home or watch other lectures: