Law firm says hospital trusts need to focus on patient care after NHS data reveals high mortality rates
(PRWEB UK) 31 January 2014 -- Clinical Negligence firm Mercury Legal Online has expressed its concern after fresh NHS data revealed that six hospital trusts in England have high death rates for patients who pass away in hospital or within 30 days of being discharged. (i)
The report, which examined data from July 2011 to June 2013, based its statistics on the Summary Hospital-level Mortality Indicator (or SHMI); the ratio between the number of patients who die following treatment and the estimated number that would be expected to die based on average figures for England. (ii)
It takes into account the varying ages and types of patient treated. (ii)
Several of the six trusts identified have already featured in other lists warning of high death rates, say The Independent. (ii)
Fiona Hedges, Clinical Negligence Solicitor at Mercury Legal Solicitors, said: “It is very concerning that these six trusts are deemed to have a high mortality rate compared with other trusts in England. These figures will need to be examined as a matter of urgency to identify the reasons for the high numbers reported. This will need to be done to ensure that patient care is not being compromised at any level.
“The proper care of patients in hospitals needs to be the top priority for trusts and to ensure this is the case, reports suggesting otherwise need to be investigated as soon as they arise.”
Mercury Legal Online is a group of personal injury solicitors in the UK who specialise in providing legal representation for victims of clinical and hospital negligence.
Sources
(i) Six NHS trusts under fresh scrutiny over high death rates, 29 January 2014, http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/jan/29/six-nhs-trusts-fresh-scrutiny-high-death-rates
(ii) Data reveals six NHS trusts with ‘persistently’ high death rates, 29 January 2014, http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/data-reveals-six-nhs-trusts-with-persistently-high-death-rates-9094354.html
ENDS
About Mercury Legal Online:
Mercury Legal Online is a trusted group of personal injury solicitors in the UK. Mercury Legal Online is administered and run by Gallium Legal LLP and is regulated by the Ministry of Justice. The firm specialises in helping victims of clinical negligence.
About Fiona Hedges:
Fiona Hedges is a Solicitor who specialises in Medical and Clinical Negligence claims. Fiona has settled claims relating to hospital errors and negligent doctors and has also helped many victims of negligent cosmetic surgery procedures.
Charlie Oakham, Mercury Legal, http://www.mercurylegal.co.uk/, +44 8001223130, [email protected]
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