NHS staffing levels blamed for deaths

A staffing crisis at a flagship hospital has contributed to the deaths of two patients in just one month, documents suggest.

The reports also show hundreds of other patients subjected to safety incidents at hospitals in Scotland’s biggest health board.

Freedom of Information requests on deaths and near misses at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) reveal 336 incidents related to “staffing/inappropriate skill mix”.

The data, obtained by Scottish Labour, reveals staffing problems contributed to the two deaths at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow.

Labour MSP Paul O’Kane said the report shows the worst fears about the NHS staffing levels are being realised.

“These tragic figures lay bare the cost of the workforce crisis engulfing our NHS. Lives have been lost, patients have been hurt, and dozens more catastrophes were narrowly avoided.”

The British Medical Association in Scotland (BMA Scotland) said the health incidents in NHSCCG reflect what is happing to NHS patients throughout Scotland.

Chairman Dr Iain Kennedy said: “It’s extremely worrying, but not surprising, to see these figures and hear of ongoing staffing concerns, not just in NHS GG&C but across the NHS in Scotland.”

Colin Poolman, RCN Scotland director, said: “For years now the Scottish Government has failed to listen to our members’ concerns for the safety of their patients and failed to recognise the safety critical role of nursing staff.”

The health board said the circumstances of the deaths would be investigated: “Staff members are encouraged to report incidents, including staffing issues, on the Datix incident reporting system.

“However, an issue may be resolved quickly and the report is not updated to show this. While the Datix reports are a useful record of concerns about staffing, they may not give an entirely accurate picture of the situation.”