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

12.00.00am GMT Thu 29th Jan 2009

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."

Notes:

Number of incidents reported to the NHS.

Incident type

Base: All incidents

Financial year (Apr - Mar)

2005-06

2006-07

2007-08

Access, admission, transfer, discharge (including missing patient)

2,301

3,669

5,261

Clinical assessment (including diagnosis, scans, tests, assessments)

643

908

1,624

Consent, communication, confidentiality

1,163

1,333

2,045

Disruptive, aggressive behaviour

1,197

1,325

1,581

Documentation (including records, identification)

1,424

1,716

2,201

Infection Control Incident

649

812

1,154

Implementation of care and ongoing monitoring / review

588

1,225

2,670

Infrastructure (including staffing, facilities, environment)

1,514

2,331

3,906

Medical device / equipment

755

1,036

2,036

Medication

1,612

2,206

3,630

Patient abuse (by staff / third party)

127

268

966

Patient accident

12,926

16,618

23,109

Self-harming behaviour

1,062

982

1,153

Treatment, procedure

1,540

2,473

3,863

Other

338

490

1,090

Missing

3

7

0

Total

27,842

37,399

56,289

Number of incidents reported as death

Incident type

Base: Incidents reported as death

Financial year (Apr - Mar)

2005-06

2006-07

2007-08

Access, admission, transfer, discharge (including missing patient)

12

12

13

Clinical assessment (including diagnosis, scans, tests, assessments)

7

3

10

Consent, communication, confidentiality

4

4

0

Documentation (including records, identification)

2

1

1

Infection Control Incident

0

1

3

Implementation of care and ongoing monitoring / review

7

6

4

Infrastructure (including staffing, facilities, environment)

5

4

4

Medical device / equipment

2

1

4

Medication

3

1

2

Patient abuse (by staff / third party)

0

1

1

Patient accident

1

9

12

Self-harming behaviour

33

27

39

Treatment, procedure

14

29

20

Other

39

42

78

Total

129

141

191