INITIAL findings from an independent review into clinical coding at the Royal Bolton Hospital have shown that there has been no inappropriate behaviour or manipulation of data.


The findings were revealed in a verbal report to David Wakefield, the interim chairman of Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, and Bolton Clinical Commissioning Group’s chair Dr Wirin Bhatiani and chief officer Su Long on Friday.


The review, which was started after an investigation by health information expert Dr Foster brought up more questions than answers, remains ongoing.


There are still questions remaining regarding why the Trust has had so many septicaemia cases.
But, following the verbal report last week, the Trust have decided to re-instate Dr Jackie Bene as medical director and deputy chief executive.


Dr Bene, who was then acting chief executive, “stepped aside” at the end of February after Dr Foster discovered “significant discrepancies” the hospital’s data.