NHS death rates 'should be ignored'

A key measure of hospital death rates should be ignored, according to the expert leading the review into them.

Academic Prof Nick Black has been asked by the NHS to see whether they are an accurate indicator of poor care.

His review is not due to be published until December, but he told the BBC the most established method of measuring mortality appeared to have no value.

But Dr Foster, the research group which has pioneered their use, rejected the criticism.

Gerry Northam reports.

BBC Radio 4's File on 4 programme 'Deadly Hospitals' airs on Tuesday 25th February at 8.00pm.