Alder Hey Hospital chief executive Louise Shepherd

THE safety of the children in our care is our  highest priority.

We are pleased that  the review concluded  that clinical standards of surgical practice were within  UK acceptable standards and  that we provide a safe surgical service at Alder Hey.

The review team were  asked to examine 14 individual patient cases, the  treatment of five surgical  conditions and one concern  about a trainee surgeon.

They also examined how  the department worked  together. The RCS highlighted some clinical concerns in two cases relating to  clinical care.

Additionally, three cases  highlighted process issues  such as taking of consent,  supervision and approval of  new procedures.

The Department of Paediatric Surgery has treated  over 27,000 cases during the  six years covered by the  review.

To address these issues, the  RCS has provided a number  of recommendations.

These recommendations  are helpful and we have  begun putting actions in  place to ensure Alder Hey  continues to be a leading children’s Trust.

We have begun contacting  all the families of the  patients concerned.

The summary of conclusions, recommendations  and actions can be viewed on  our website at www.alderhey.nhs.uk

Any parents or families  who wish to discuss the  review should contact our  Patient Advice and Liaison  Service on 0151 252 5161.

We will continue to subject  ourselves to rigorous scrutiny to continue to provide the  best care for children and  young people at Alder Hey.