NEW figures recently released for the first time in an official healthcare report reveal that Kerry General Hospital (KGH) has one of the lowest death rates in the country for heart attacks.

However the hospital doesn’t fare as well when it comes to stroke due to clot.

The figures show that KGH has a significantly lower death rate due to heart attacks than the national average with just 4.12 deaths per 100 hospital patients.

This means that the hospital recorded one of the lowest death rates within 30 days of admission for heart attacks.

However when it comes to stroke due to blood clot, the mortality rate is 9.94 deaths per 100 patients.

The figures were released as part of the very first ‘National Healthcare Reporting’ system.

The Department of Health says that in relation to both sets of figures for hospitals, that a high mortality rate is not indicative of poor quality care.

Other hospitals that ranked alongside KGH with low death rates include The Mater Hospital in Dublin along with the Midland Regional Hospital in Portlaoise.

The hospitals with a higher than average death rate for heart attacks includes Midland Regional in Tullamore, Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown and Cavan General.