Shropshire hospital death rates 'higher than average'

Shropshire's two main hospitals have higher than expected death rates, according to new figures released by the Department of Health today.

The figures show the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust, which runs the Royal Shrewsbury and Princess Royal hospitals, had 2,422 deaths in 2010 to 2011, more than 10 per cent above the expected death rate of 2,168.

The trust is one of 36 across the country to have higher than expected death rates, raising fears about underlying problems in the quality of care provided.

But Vicky Morris, director of quality and safety at the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust, said the figures should not be used as a direct reflection of the safety and quality of care provided by the trust.

Full report in the Shropshire Star