30.01.12
Weekend working for NHS
Health Secretary Andrew Lansley is planning to change the way hospitals operate at weekends, encouraging a shift to 24-hour, seven-day rolling weeks, instead of reduced staff working. This follows growing concern at the quality of patient care during the weekends.
Mortality rates are up to 20% higher at weekends, as many treatment centres close operating theatres, scanning and diagnostic facilities.
An NHS spokesperson told the Telegraph: “Patients admitted to hospital on a Saturday or Sunday stay longer and have worse outcomes.
“Much of the rest of the world continues to be open for the public’s needs on Saturday and Sunday. Why shouldn’t the NHS be the same?”
Although the changes will not be compulsory for hospitals, the Department of Health suggests that spreading work out could save money and ease occupancy rates.
Lansley said: “By opening some services seven days a week, more patients will get the care and treatment that they need when they need it.
“In some parts of the NHS, this is already happening. We will work with all the professional associations, to encourage progress on this across the NHS. By increasing the number of consultants who are on duty at the weekends, we will both strengthen the training of junior doctors and improve quality of care for patients.”
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