Ruling 'could lead surgeons to lie'

ALL HOSPITAL surgeons will be required to co-operate with investigations into post-operative deaths, health minister Baroness Jay announced yesterday. Up to now, participation has been voluntary but more than a third of surgeons in some NHS regions do not take part.

The move came as a surprise to Ron Hoile, co-ordinator of the unit responsible for monitoring deaths after surgery. He warned that making participation mandatory could lead some surgeons to lie.