Rheumatology patient deaths referred to Viscount

Sixteen of 26 recommended improvements have been fully implemented

A review has confirmed 20 cases of deceased rheumatology patients in Jersey have been referred to the authority responsible for inquests.

Concerns about the Health and Community Services (HCS) rheumatology department emerged in January 2022 after issues were raised by a junior doctor, the Government of Jersey said.

Officials said 190 cases were being looked at, but said the figure might change over the course of the review.

It said about 120 of the cases had been reviewed so far with about one in three requiring an independent mortality learning review (MLR).

'Possible medical harm'

Officials said 23 MLRs had been completed and 20 cases had been referred to the Viscount.

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.

HCS medical director Patrick Armstrong said assessments concluded the diagnosis, treatment and care of 33 living patients was "below expected standards and may have resulted in possible medical harm".

“Our initial focus was to review the care and treatment for living patients," Mr Armstrong said.

"I can confirm that all patients whose cases were reviewed as part of these clinical audits are now having their care assessed by independent specialist consultants."

'Progressing well'

He said those patients were being sent duty of candour letters which offered an apology and confirmed what they had been told verbally.

He said HCS hoped to be able to make any settlement offers, where appropriate, later this year either on a case-by-case basis or by way of a general compensation scheme.

Mr Armstrong said recommendations to services made by the Royal College of Physicians for improvements was "progressing well".

He said 16 out of 26 recommendations had been fully implemented.

"We have improved access to physiotherapy and podiatry for rheumatology patients, and progress is being made to enrol Jersey into national audits," he said.