Mortality Rates
Death rates higher after weekend admissions, study confirms
Patients admitted to hospital at weekends have a greater chance of dying than those admitted on a week day, a large-scale review of NHS data has reiterated.
Poor outcomes continue for heart failure, audit reveals
Heart failure outcomes remain poor with variations in quality of care across the country and a lack of access to specialist management, according to a major national review.
'Be clear' bowel cancer campaign launched by government
A government campaign has been launched to raise awareness of the symptoms of bowel cancer.
Organ donation target 'will be missed'
The head of a kidney charity has launched an attack on the government over organ donation, saying it will miss a target to boost donor rates by 50 per cent.
One in five deaths now 'in own home'
More than a fifth of people now die in their own homes, while the overall trend for deaths at home is rising, research suggests.
DH considers year-of-care tariff for patients with long term conditions
The Department of Health is considering a year-of-care tariff for telehealth technology which varies according to the number and severity of a patient’s long-term conditions.
Give doctors stronger assisted dying powers, report says
Doctors could be given powers allowing them to help terminally ill patients to die, a report said today.
24,000 diabetes deaths 'preventable', report claims
Up to 24,000 patients with diabetes are dying unnecessarily every year, according to a new report.
High-risk surgery care 'poor' for more than half of patients
More than half of high-risk patients undergoing surgery do not receive good care, according to a study which paints a “disturbing” picture of some NHS services.
Dr Foster: weekend A&E admissions '10pc more likely to die'
NHS hospital patients admitted for emergency treatment at weekends are almost 10 per cent more likely to die than those admitted during the week, according to the Dr Foster Hospital Guide 2011.
Exclusive: weekend hospital arrivals up to 16pc more likely to die - DH
Patients admitted to NHS hospitals at the weekend are up to 16 per cent more likely to die than those admitted during the week, according to research for the Department of Health.
Lung cancer causing 1,000 'unnecessary' deaths a year
At least 1,000 Britons with lung cancer are dying needlessly each year because they are not offered surgery, according to new research.
Lack of hospital surgery networks risking more child deaths
It is “vital” that paediatric surgery networks are established across the country to reduce the risk of child mortality, according to a major patient safety report.
Hospital death rate focus will disappear - Keogh
Interest in hospital mortality indicators will “wane” within three years as clinicians produce dozens of service-specific quality measures, the NHS medical director has predicted.
Trusts blame high SHMIs on poor coding
More than half of the trusts that performed poorly against the new summary hospital-level mortality indicator have blamed their figures on coding issues, with palliative care a particular area of concern.
Fourteen trusts rated worst by first official hospital death rate
Fourteen hospital trusts have been identified as the poorest performers in the first official hospital-wide mortality ratings.
Children's care quality can be improved - study
The largest case-based study into children who died after surgery has found there was room for improvement in more than a quarter of cases.
Older patients' heart care 'not equal'
Heart attack patients aged over 85 are less likely to receive specialist care from a cardiologist in hospital and vital heart medicines after leaving, according to research.
Improved hospital IT would save 'thousands' of lives
The extended and better use of IT could dramatically cut hospital deaths across England, a report claims, after a Birmingham trust saw deaths fall by 17 per cent in a 12-month period.
Critical care is risking lives, say surgeons
Thousands of patients who need emergency surgery are having their lives put at risk by poor NHS care and delays in accessing treatment, according to a damning report.
More on Mortality Rates
How a lean approach can improve care for the growing number of cancer patients
In times where advanced treatments and a population living longer are putting pressure on services, cancer care must transform itself to meet this demand while at the same time as providing efficient, high quality, coordinated and patient-centred service delivery.
The three key principles behind clinical decisions on resuscitation
“Do not attempt cardio-pulmonary resuscitation” orders can be a contentious area for clinical teams. Duncan Astill and Nick Morton unpick the principles behind them.
How a new heart valve treatment can improve heart disease mortality rates
A new treatment available to combat valvular heart disease could be an opportunity to improve the care provided to those who would previously have been too ill for open heart surgery - and cut mortality rates in patients with the disease. Dr Mark De Belder explains.
How to meet QIPP challenges in end of life care services
A review of palliative care services at one PCT led to the creation of a commissioning strategy that met both the DH’s end of life brief and the QIPP challenges. Andrea Ching explains what NHS Berkshire West did.
Why it is vital trusts learn lessons from coroners' reports
When a patient dies, the Coroners Rules 1984 allows coroners to produce a report that has the single purpose of preventing future deaths, if it is deemed the risk of death will continue to exist. Joanna Trewin has some advice on how trusts can avoid these - and what to do if they don’t.
Why occupational therapists have a vital role in integrated care
Occupational therapists make up a significant proportion of the healthcare workforce in the UK, and they have a major contribution to make in driving integrated care as a solution for sustainable and effectice healthcare.
