Scrutiny Over Deaths Following TAVI Heart Procedure at Castle Hill Hospital
An independent review has raised serious concerns about patient safety at Castle Hill Hospital in East Yorkshire, where multiple deaths followed a heart procedure known as TAVI (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation). The hospital’s mortality rate for the procedure has been reported as significantly above the national average, prompting questions about clinical oversight, transparency, and how best to protect future patients.
The hospital trust commissioned the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) to investigate 11 patient deaths between 2019 and 2023. The RCP found that six patients received poor care, with one case graded as “very poor”. In the early years of the service, the report noted a lack of experience among operators, poor planning, and inadequate medical documentation. In some cases, there was no clear referral to the coroner and discrepancies in death certification.
In one particularly troubling case reported by the BBC, a patient’s death certificate was reportedly revised to remove mention of the failed TAVI procedure. The RCP’s review found that poor decision-making contributed to the patient’s avoidable death and concluded that the second certificate did not accurately reflect the cause.
Humberside Police confirmed last month that a criminal investigation was underway. NHS England is also conducting its own review into the safety of TAVI practices at the hospital.
While the hospital trust claims that its current TAVI outcomes align with national figures, the lack of transparency, unanswered questions, and ongoing deaths linked to the service make it vital that a full, independent investigation is carried out — not just to establish accountability, but to ensure lessons are learned and future care is safe, consistent, and properly monitored.
As clinical negligence specialists, we are following developments closely.
If you or someone you know has concerns about a TAVI procedure or the care received at Castle Hill Hospital, we’re here to help you understand your legal options and seek the answers you deserve. Contact our Clinical Negligence Experts today.
