World | UK
Patients admitted on weekends likely to die
Absence of senior doctors jeopardises recovery
- — Daily Mail
- Published: 00:00 February 4, 2012
London: Patients admitted to hospitals at weekends are far more likely to die than those taken there on weekdays, a major study has confirmed.
Chances of recovery are jeopardised because senior doctors are absent and tests and scans are not immediately available.
A study of over 14 million NHS admissions found that Sunday patients are 16 per cent more likely to die within the next 30 days than those brought in on a Wednesday.
Patients admitted on a Saturday are 11 per cent more likely to die in 30 days.
Alarmingly, the researchers warned that patients who go to hospital at weekends tend to be sicker, making it crucial that they receive the highest standard of medical attention.
This is due to a higher number of road accidents, drink-related injuries and poor out-of-hours GP care that means patients deteriorate while treatment is delayed.
Fundamental rethink
Last week, Health Secretary Andrew Lansley ordered a fundamental rethink of how hospitals are run at weekends.
Responding to this study Lansley said: "It is unacceptable that patients admitted to hospital on a Saturday or Sunday stay longer and have worse results."
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