3,600 patients killed by blunders
Updated on 06 January 2009
More than 3,000 people have died as a result of patient safety incidents in just one year, figures suggest.
Government data shows that 3,645 died from incidents in NHS hospitals in 2007/08.
These included medication errors, incidents relating to hospital bugs, poor assessments by staff and people committing suicide when they should be watched closely.
The data showed that the number of errors has risen 60% in the last two years but health experts said this was due to increased reporting of incidents by staff.
The National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA), which records the data, also said the way information is collected has changed.
The figures, provided by Health Minister Ann Keen in response to a parliamentary question, showed that 156 people died due to errors in clinical assessment, including diagnosis, scans and tests.
Another 309 died from incidents relating to the control of infections, while 115 died as a result of the way ongoing care and monitoring was provided.
A total of 171 died in an accident, while 385 died from their treatment and 487 died from self-harm, including suicide.
Dr Kevin Cleary, medical director of the NPSA, said: "When looking at these figures it is important to note that, since 2003, the NPSA has encouraged healthcare staff to report patient safety incidents to help prevent similar incidents occurring in the future.
"Between 2005 and 2007 the number of staff reporting incidents to the NPSA increased by 50%. This is a positive indication that there is an evolving and improving patient safety culture in the NHS; this growth is evident in all regions."
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