Lack of staff blamed as 3 in 4 hospitals fail on safety
THREE quarters of NHS hospitals are not safe enough and lack of staff is the main reason, a report today warns.
The watchdog Care Quality Commission gave 13% of hospitals its lowest rating of “inadequate” and 61% need to improve.
Inspectors found “disregard for patient safety”, “poor management of patients at risk of complications” and “disregard” for infection control.
Their report said: “A major reason for failings is insufficient numbers of staff and use of temporary staff.”
Half of hospitals were checked under a new “tougher” regime.
The study also found safety in a third of adult social care services and a quarter of GP practices had to improve.
Shadow Health Secretary Heidi Alexander said: “Jeremy Hunt cannot keep ignoring serious warnings about unsafe and understaffed hospitals.
“The NHS is in a precarious position.”
Health Secretary Mr Hunt admitted “variation” in care was “unacceptable”.
The Patients Association’s Katherine Murphy said: “Safety of patients should be the primary concern of all.”