17.10.12
Weekends off
The chance of patients dying at the weekend is significantly increased for certain conditions, new research has shown.
This kind of variation is simply unacceptable. In today’s society, you can access you high street bank on a Saturday, yet you cannot receive the same standard of care at a hospital that you would expect during the week.
The problem needs a whole-scale approach, including changes to training and workforce, as well as planning and incentives to ensure highly-trained consultants are available every day of the week, as well as the latest technology and diagnostic equipment.
Illness and emergency health issues do not operate on a working week basis – so the health service cannot be allowed to continue sticking to this rigid timetable.
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