Patient deaths due to NHS errors up 50% - Peter Black (Monmouth Liberal Democrats)

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Monmouth Liberal Democrats <janetellard58@hotmail.com>

Patient deaths due to NHS errors up 50% - Peter Black

January 29, 2009 12:00 AM
Originally published by Welsh Liberal Democrats

Figures obtained by the Welsh Liberal Democrats have revealed that the number of NHS patients dying from medical errors has increased by 50% in the last 3 years.

The Freedom of Information request shows that the number of patients killed in the care of the Welsh NHS as a result of incidents including medical errors, accidents involving patients and abuse by staff increased from 129 deaths in 05-06 to 191 in 07-08. The figures also show that the number of incidents over the last three years involving patient safety has increased from 28,000 to 56,000

Peter Black, Welsh Lib Dem Shadow Health Spokesperson said that while NHS patient death resulting from error was regrettable, the sharp increase in deaths over three years was unacceptable.

Peter Black said:

"The rise in deaths due to errors within the NHS is shocking given that many of these deaths are avoidable.

"Across all areas of the NHS, from admission, clinical assessments, implementation of care to treatment and medication, the number of incidents and deaths has increased over the last three years. Whilst it's inevitable that some patients die in hospitals, it's unacceptable that patients die due to NHS error.

"Just last week the Welsh Liberal Democrats highlighted the massive backlog in NHS repairs, meaning that thousands of patients are being treated in sub standard conditions in our hospitals. This week we see that over the last three years, 13 people died as a result of poor NHS infrastructure.

"Patients in Wales need to be treated in safe and secure NHS departments. Although we accept that a lot of incidents cannot be avoided, many can, and there needs to be better management and control to reduce the number of accidents and deaths.

"The Labour-Plaid government needs to get its act together and ensure that Wales has a decent healthcare system. Patient safety and welfare is paramount and I will be raising these issues with the Health Minister urgently."