Rotherham Hospital Tackles Post-Surgery Death Rate Spike

Rotherham Hospital has introduced critical improvements after a concerning trend in patient mortality following major abdominal surgery. During the 2024/25 period, the mortality rate for emergency laparotomies was found to be 168% above the national average, with 14 out of 104 patients in the audit passing away.

An emergency laparotomy involves opening the abdomen to address life-threatening conditions like internal bleeding or perforated bowels. Patients undergoing this procedure are often critically ill and may interact with multiple hospital teams.

In response to the findings, Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust has implemented changes focused on earlier diagnosis, enhanced patient information sharing between clinical teams, and improved patient routes through the hospital. Additional workforce support has also been introduced to address the complex needs of these patients.

More recent data, from December 2025 to February 2026, indicates a positive shift. The trust reported a mortality proportion of 6.2%, which is below the national average of 7%. While these newer figures cover a shorter duration, they suggest the implemented changes are yielding improved outcomes.