An article said that survival among patients in intensive care units in England had improved significantly since the implementation of the National Health Service Plan in 2000.
Source: Andrew Hutchings et al., 'Evaluation of modernisation of adult critical care services in England: time series and cost effectiveness analysis', British Medical Journal, 11 November 2009
Links: Abstract | BMJ press release | DH press release | BBC report
Date: 2009-Nov
A report examined the overall patient safety record of hospitals in Englands and ranked each trust on a 1-5 scale. It identified 12 trusts that had 'significantly underperformed'.
Source: How Safe Is Your Hospital? The Dr Foster hospital guide 2009, Dr Foster Ltd (020 7330 0400)
Links: Report | Dr Foster press release | NHS Confederation press release | Guardian report | Telegraph report
Date: 2009-Nov
An article said that between 1997 and 2007 waiting times for patients having three common surgical procedures in England went down, and the variation in waiting times for them across socio-economic groups was reduced – contrary to fears that the government's National Health Service reforms would lead to inequity.
Source: Zachary Cooper, Alistair McGuire, Simon Jones and Julian Le Grand, 'Equity, waiting times, and NHS reforms: retrospective study', British Medical Journal, 3 September 2009
Links: Article | Abstract | FT report
Date: 2009-Sep
A report highlighted the 'unacceptable experiences' facing patients in National Health Service hospitals, based on a series of personal cases. It called for an urgent review of the standards of basic care being received by patients in hospital, and demanded stricter supervision and regulation of hospital care.
Source: Patients Not Numbers, People Not Statistics, Patients Association (020 8423 9111)
Links: Report | Patients Association press release | RCN press release | FT report | Guardian report | BBC report
Date: 2009-Aug
