Two surgeons are accused of ignoring high death rates

Two senior consultant surgeons persisted in carrying out heart surgery on babies and toddlers even though half their patients died, the General Medical Council (GMC) was told this week at the start of a marathon disciplinary hearing.

James Wisheart and Janardan Dhasmana disregarded warnings by colleagues that the death rates for their operations for congenital heart defects at Bristol Royal Infirmary were too high, the professional conduct committee heard. Mr Wisheart, former medical director of the United Bristol Healthcare Trust, Mr Dhasmana, consultant cardiothoracic surgeon, and Dr John Roylance, former chief executive officer of …