Operation survival rates in Worcestershire better than national average

Figures released this week show more than 99 per cent of people undergoing operations to repair abdominal aortic aneurysms at Worcestershire Royal Hospital survived the procedure, higher than the national average of 98 per cent.

The study by the Royal College of Surgeons in England also showed more than 98 per cent survived carotid endarterectomy operations – procedures to unblock arteries in the brain which can lead to a stroke if left untreated – again beating the national average of 98 per cent.

Vascular services for patients in both Worcestershire and Herefordshire are provided at the Royal, which is staffed by six specialist consultants and in 2010 was named as one of the top three performing units in the country.

Consultant vascular surgeon at the Royal Professor Richard Downing said he and his colleagues were pleased by the figures.

“We are delighted to have achieved such great results for our patients,” he said. “Our multidisciplinary team is dedicated to providing patients with the highest possible quality of elective and emergency care – a commitment reflected in these figures.”

The facility at the Royal is one of seven accredited vascular units in the West Midlands and between January 2010 and December 2014 carried 426 abdominal aortic aneurysms repairs, as well as 229 carotid endarterectomies between October 2011 and September 2014.

An abdominal aortic aneurysm is when the wall of the body’s largest blood vessel stretches and can be at risk of bursting. It is most common among men aged 65 and older and is usually fatal.

All men in the UK are offered screening for the condition on the NHS during the year of their 65th birthday. Women are not currently offered appointments as men are six times more likely to develop the condition.

Earlier this month the service was introduced to older men in Worcestershire’s two prisons – HMP Long Lartin near Evesham and HMP Hewell near Redditch.