15
Sep 2015
Hospital A&E consultants down 50% at weekends
According to a recent report, the number of senior doctors on duty in A&E departments over the weekend halves and death rates amongst patients rises by 15 per cent.
Information obtained by The Daily Telegraph from 60 NHS hospital trusts, showed that whilst there were 210 consultants on duty mid-week, only 95 were working at weekends.
Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt is currently looking into introducing a new seven day contract for consultants, and ending the current “opt-out” option for non-emergency weekend work.
Mr Hunt said “These figures undermine the BMA’s case against removing the consultants’ weekend opt-out.
“Patients deserve the same high quality care every day to save lives – which is why hospital leaders, senior clinicians and the independent NHS pay review bodies all agree that the opt-out must end.”
Chairman of the BMA Dr Mark Porter, said doctors had “always been open to more seven-day services in hospitals.
“The reason there are less staff, including nurses and other specialists, in hospitals on Saturdays and Sundays is because the Government does not provide the workforce, resources or infrastructure to maintain the level of service that exists during the week.”
Katherine Murphy of the Patients Association, said “Patients cannot pick and choose when they fall ill and doctors should not be able to pick and choose when they work.”
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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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