HOSPITAL trusts in North Yorkshire are not among the 14 to be investigated by health officials who claim thousands may have died unnecessarily in recent years.

The investigation uses the Summary Hospital-level Mortality Indicator (SHMI) and the Hospital Standardised Mortality Ratio (HSMR) to identify 14 trusts where the number of patients who died following admission to hospital with the number who would be expected to die. It showed in only one year there were 2,997 more deaths than would have been expected.

However, the 14 trusts did include North Lincolnshire and Goole Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, in East Yorkshire.

Sir Bruce Keogh, who is heading the investigation, said: “A higher than expected mortality rate does not in itself tell us that a hospital is unsafe, for example, units delivering highly complex and specialist care could legitimately have higher mortality rates.

“It is, however, a warning light that suggests trusts should investigate further to identify and resolve any care quality issues. We want consistently high performing hospitals across the NHS. Hospitals with persistently high Summary Hospital Mortality Indicator scores are currently under review.”

The figures also suggest five of the trusts which are being investigated are “repeat outliers” – having been classed as “higher than expected” for two years running.

Hospital trusts in North Yorkshire are not among the 14 trusts inspectors will visit over the next two months.