Viscount to review five rheumatology-linked deaths

Deputy Tom Binet told the States five cases had now been referred to the Viscount

The cases of five people who died after receiving care from Jersey's rheumatology department have been referred to the authority responsible for inquests, the health minister has confirmed.

It comes after a Royal College of Physicians (RCP) report criticised the island's rheumatology department, saying its standard of care was "well below" acceptable.

In some cases patients were misdiagnosed or given medicine they did not need, report authors said.

Deputy Tom Binet told the States five cases had now been referred to the Viscount, which could mean their deaths would be investigated in more detail.

'Unnecessary stress'

However, he said a report into the matter had been delayed, and would not be ready this month - and declined to give details of any findings.

He said: “The first rule of good health, certainly in my view, is to put the patient first. I don’t feel it would be appropriate to broadcast what particular area this will be.

"In the event that little of substance is found to be wrong, all we will have achieved is to cause a great deal of unnecessary stress and anxiety to recent and current users of that service."

The Viscount's Department is responsible for carrying out orders made by the Royal Court of Jersey and the duties of the coroner by administering inquests.

Earlier this month, deputy medical director Simon West said about 90 of the 182 deaths linked to treatment at the rheumatology had been reviewed.

He previously told the Health and Social Security Scrutiny Panel it was "possible or likely" a very small proportion of patients died as a result of their care.