Review condemns poor leadership of Oxford cardiac services

A review into cardiac services in Oxford has said that a lack of leadership, surgeons working autonomously, severe difficulties in recruiting and retaining nursing staff, and a culture of complacency and secrecy have all contributed to a decline in the quality of services.

The report, commissioned by the South East regional office of the NHS Executive, made several wide ranging recommendations, some of which are already being implemented by the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust.

The report of the review, which was commissioned earlier this year after concerns raised by staff working in the unit, said: “The cardiothoracic surgeons must put aside their personal animosities and genuinely try to work together as a team, otherwise the future for this speciality in Oxford is bleak.”

Two of the 35 recommendations say that the five surgeons should function as …