Recent research has indicated that patients admitted to hospital at the weekend have a higher risk of dying than those admitted during the week.
The figures from research company Dr Foster indicate that across 147 hospital trusts, there was a 10% increase in the number of deaths at a weekend than during the week.
On average, the number of people who died on weekdays fluctuated between 7.1% and 7.4% of hospital admissions throughout the week. However, this value increased to 8.1% on Saturdays and Sundays.
Roger Taylor from Dr Foster suggested that the problem is down to a shortage of senior doctors outside of normal working hours. He is urging hospitals to ensure that there is sufficient cover amongst more experienced medical staff so that people can be seen by the right doctor at all times.
Prof Sir Bruce Keogh from the NHS pointed out that mortality rates in the NHS are falling.
However, he also conceded that those hospitals with a higher death rates at evenings and weekends should investigate the problem.
Prof Sir Keogh added: “I will be asking the NHS medical directors to look closely at weekend services to ensure patients admitted at weekends receive the same standards of care as those during the week. This problem is not unique to the NHS, it confronts all health systems in the world, but I am confident the NHS is well placed to address these issues.”
