Mortality rates in Ward 5 at Dewsbury hospital

We were asked if the mortality rates at Ward 5 in Dewsbury hospital (Older peoples ward) were higher than average. Deborah Turner, Head of Quality and Patient Safety at North Kirklees Clinical Commissioning Group said;

“We monitor the Hospital Standardised Mortality Ratios (HSMR) and Standardised Hospital Mortality Index (SHMI) amenable mortality rates. Mid Yorkshire Health Trust have made massive improvements over the last 12 months and are well within the expected levels. I would expect elderly medicine to have slightly higher rates due to the fraility of that patient group. May I suggest you contact Dr Richard Jenkins Medical Director Mid Yorkshire Health Trust in the first instance though to ask this question.”

We contacted Dr Jenkins and are waiting for his response.