A report by cardiovascular surgeons has caused controversy by criticising fellow doctors for failing to publish information aimed at helping patients choose the most suitable place for them to have treatment.

Specialists in cardiac care have been collecting mortality data since the Kennedy inquiry into the Bristol babies scandal in 2001, and their findings have led to a sharp drop in the death rates of up to 50% in recent years. Now leading heart surgeons say that the rest of the NHS should follow their example and publish data in an attempt to drive up standards.

Ben Bridgewater, lead author of the report, said that cardiac surgeons had been forced to act after the Bristol inquiry and results since have shown that public accountability can drive up standards of patient care. He said: "Giving access to appropriate information will reassure the public and allow patients to make informed decisions about their care, but currently the NHS and the medical professions are failing to deliver."

His views have been echoed by the Health Secretary Andrew Lansley who said that cardiothoracic surgeons have led the way in demonstrating that a transparent NHS is a better and safer NHS. He is set to announce an extra £1.2m of funding for clinical audit which adds to the £8.4m already made available to help doctors collect and collate information on the treatments they provide.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/mar/21/heart-surgeons-push-specialist-data