Doctors’ failure to diagnose a brain haemorrhage lead to the death of a 67 year old woman. Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust and Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust have admitted liability and the NHS Litigation Authority agreed to pay an undisclosed sum in an out of court settlement for the family’s loss. Christine Smith had first… Read More
Researchers say that the NHS in England missed its A&E waiting time target in the first three months of the year. 313,000 people had to wait for more than four hours in A&E. This has increased by 39% on the same period in 2012, according to an analysis carried out by the King’s Fund on… Read More
Hundreds of women have been recalled for breast cancer screening after a Bournemouth hospital claims a junior doctor failed to follow proper procedures. The Royal Bournemouth Hospital has said that 272 patients have been asked to have reassessments. These women attended a clinic between January 2011 and July 2012. The Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals… Read More
There are warnings from cancer charities over the uncertainty of future access to life-extending drugs when a dedicated fund ends next year. The government’s £650million Cancer Drugs Fund has paid for treatment for 28,000 people since late 2010. However it is due to end in 2014 and cancer charities are calling for clarity about what… Read More
The organisation representing British doctors has written to NHS bosses expressing concerns to patient safety over the new 111 non emergency number. The 111 non emergency number is to replace NHS Direct and is set to be launched in England on Monday. The British Medical Association’s (BMA) letter to Sir David Nicholson, the head of the… Read More
Health secretary, Jeremy Hunt is set to reject a recommendation from the Francis Inquiry. The recommendation was to introduce a law forcing NHS staff to blow the whistle over care. The Francis Inquiry came as a result of the hundreds of deaths of patients at Stafford Hospital. Mr Hunt will accept the need for a… Read More
According to official research, people with learning disabilities are at risk of premature death, dying on average, 16 years earlier than they should. The research suggests the premature death of people with learning disabilities is due to NHS failings. The Department of Health commissioned the work and have said that this is unacceptable. The deaths… Read More
It will surprise many to learn that at present hospitals in the United Kingdom are not legally bound to be open and honest about patient safety. Although hospitals are expected to be open about their mistakes now, there is no contractual duty to hold them to account when they are not. However, in light of… Read More
Figures show that the number of patients undergoing common surgical procedures in England varies widely due to funding restrictions leading to a postcode lottery NHS. Researchers say that there is local NHS rationing of hernia repair, hip replacements, knee replacements, cataracts and varicose vein surgeries. In writing in the Lancet, the researchers warn that such… Read More
MPs are warning that the Nursing and Midwifery Council is still not doing enough to protect patients properly. The Health Select Committee says there is a huge backlog of cases which is hampering the NMC’s ability to safeguard standards. The Health Select Committee is a cross-party group of MPs, and they highlighted the NMC’s poor… Read More
