Over 3,000 patients “died needlessly” in five NHS trusts

More than 3,000 patients have died unnecessarily in just five NHS trusts in the last two years.

David Cameron has announced an investigation into 20 NHS trusts where death rates are persistently high, including the five hospitals where deaths could have been prevented.

The Prime Minister made the announcement the same day as the author of the report into the Stafford Hospital scandals warned similar scandals could happen again.

The hospitals were in Basildon and Thurrock, Colchester, Tameside, Blackpool and East Lancashire, where death rates have been persistently high over the past two years.

Yesterday, Mr Cameron told the House of Commons: “I have asked the NHS medical director, Professor Sir Bruce Keogh, to conduct an immediate investigation into the care of hospitals with the highest mortality rates, and to check that urgent remedial action is being taken.

“The way [report author] Robert Francis chronicles the evidence of systemic failure means we cannot say with confidence that failings of care are limited to one hospital,” he added.

The Prime Minister also outlined plans for performance-based pay for doctors, nurses and managers, which would be based on their level of care.

These recent, devastating revelations have put even more pressure on Sir David Nicholson, the chief executive of the NHS, to resign over the Stafford scandal.

Eleanor Mackay