Summary
- 15 ‘deadliest’ hospitals in Britain revealed in official report with patient fatalities far higher than expected
- NHS trusts with elevated patient deaths flagged as ‘smoke alarms’ for further investigation
- Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust had highest number of excess hospital deaths, data disputed by trust
- 15 trusts in England had higher than expected patient deaths, with seven previously flagged in past report
- NHS struggling on multiple fronts, including long A&E waits, ambulance response times, and rising waiting lists for treatments
A recent report has revealed Britain’s 15 ‘deadliest’ hospitals where patient fatalities are significantly higher than expected. While this does not necessarily indicate poor care, it serves as a ‘smoke alarm’ for further investigation. The Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust had the highest number of excess hospital deaths, with 53% more than predicted.
Several NHS trusts reported a higher number of patient deaths than expected, prompting the need for closer examination. Despite claims of incorrect data, these findings suggest discrepancies in reporting practices. Some trusts acknowledged the challenges with their data and pledged to improve data processing to ensure accurate recording.
While the reasons for the increased patient deaths remain unclear, experts warn that long A&E waits may be contributing to higher mortality rates. In addition, NHS performance data reveals ongoing struggles such as delayed ambulance response times and rising waiting lists for routine treatments. Cancer treatment targets are also falling short, indicating significant challenges within the healthcare system.
The NHS emphasizes the importance of investigating and addressing higher mortality rates, urging hospitals to use this information as a catalyst for improving patient care. As the healthcare system continues to face various challenges, efforts are needed to enhance patient outcomes and meet critical targets for timely and effective care.
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Critical Care, Public Health & Prevention, Nursing, Emergency Medicine, Internal Medicine, General Surgery.