Slight improvement in Scottish hospitals
Latest figures have revealed that medical negligence claims have slightly decreased in Scotland.
The reduction comes after the number of personal injury and unexpected deaths has fallen, new statistics have shown.
However data via the Hospital Standardised Mortality Ratios (HSMRs), displayed that improvements in some parts of the country are much smaller than others.
The main reduction in deaths were linked to suberbugs. For example, in the space of nearly two years, unexpected deaths due to MRSA and errors have declined by 6%.
Scottish Labour called on the Government to do more to lower the number of unexpected deaths in Scottish services and warned that cuts to hospital budgets could create negative impacts.
Their worries are justified – especially as the mortality ratio in five hospitals within the area has increased.
The data was published by Health secretary, who visited staff and patients at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.
She said driving down unintended harm to patients was at the top of the NHS’s list and publishing the figures would improve transparency and give boards information on how to improve their services and reduce compensation claims.Updated on 22/06/2010