Home / Health / Shock Report: Dozens May Die Unnecessarily
Shock Report: Dozens May Die Unnecessarily
26 Oct
Summary
- Nottingham trust's hip fracture mortality rate is nearly 50% higher than average.
- Half of hip fracture patients experience surgical delays exceeding 36 hours.
- Trust faces multiple other scandals, including maternity and child care.
An investigation has revealed potential unnecessary deaths among hip fracture patients at Nottingham University Hospitals Trust. The trust, a major provider of hip fracture care, is now under independent review due to alarmingly high death rates.
The mortality rate for hip fracture patients at the trust is reportedly nearly 50% higher than the national average for hospitals in England. National guidelines mandate surgery within 36 hours of admission for hip fracture patients, as delays increase mortality risk. However, the investigation found that the trust failed to meet this target for half of its hip fracture patients, with delays peaking at 55% in May and 53% in June.
Further analysis of data between 2016 and 2023 indicated that patients experiencing delays of over 36 hours had a 20% increased risk of death within a year. The trust's medical director stated that patient safety is a priority and an external review has been commissioned. Actions are being taken to improve surgical capacity and reduce waiting times.
This situation unfolds amidst a backdrop of numerous scandals at Nottingham University Hospitals Trust. These include reviews into potential care failures affecting children and the largest maternity scandal in NHS history, where systemic failures led to hundreds of harmed mothers and babies, including preventable deaths. Staff were also dismissed for accessing medical records of victims from a local attack.
