The death rate for under-ones has fallen to 3%
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Child deaths at a hospital condemned for its high heart surgery mortality rate have fallen dramatically to below the national average, new figures show.
The large number of babies dying after heart operations at the Bristol Royal
Infirmary (BRI) between 1991 and 1995 led to a wide-ranging inquiry.
Surgeons James Wisheart and Janardan Dhasmana and trust chief executive Dr John Roylance were disciplined.
Major changes in the child cardiac surgery service followed.
Research published in the British Medical Journal shows a marked decrease in deaths at the hospital since the inquiry and the improvements made as a result.
Between April 1991 and March 2002, death rates for under-ones at Bristol fell from 29% to just 3% - that is 1% below the national average.
The researchers said the fall did not appear to be due to fewer high risk procedures being carried out or an increase in the numbers of low risk cases.
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