26
Oct 2016
A third of heart consultants do not work evenings or weekends
A study by the British Cardiovascular Society has found that a third of consultant cardiologists do not work evenings or at weekends, putting patients at risk and leaving a gaping hole in care outside of working hours.
The study showed that heart patients who are admitted to hospital at the weekend often have more than a 24 hour wait to see a consultant and are not routinely seen by consultant cardiologists at weekends.
Dr Sarah Clarke, president of the British Cardiovascular Society, said “Patients should be able to access high-quality services whatever time of day or night, or whatever day of the week they present to the healthcare system.
“This report presents challenges to cardiologists, hospitals, ambulance services and commissioners at a time when there are staff shortages and significant financial pressures on the NHS.”
Although the authors stressed that care has improved for the most serious heart attacks, they also said that the study did highlight important issues in the delivery of prompt care in cases of patients needing pacemakers, with abnormal heart rhythms and patients with less serious heart attacks.
A spokesman from the Department of Health said “We are committed to ensuring patients get the same high standard of urgent and emergency care, no matter what day of the week it is. We want to replace the opt-out clause that means some consultants can choose not to work weekends, and ensure that by 2020 there will be more than 11,000 more doctors, including consultants and GPs.”
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Posted by Karen Motley, Paralegal, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (karenmotley@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.
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