Decade of Labour saw 50,000 too many die in hospital: Figures show abnormally high number of people died at 15 health trusts during time party was in power Up to 50,000 ‘excess’ deaths were recorded at hospitals during the last Labour government. As ministers prepare to respond today to the report into the Mid Staffordshire scandal, figures suggest the number of fatalities was ‘abnormally high’ at 15 further health trusts. The research – by Sir Brian Jarman of Imperial College, London – covers 2001 to 2010. Half of the hospital trusts he identifies were finally put into special measures this year – prompting accusations that neglect was not tackled despite a series of investigations. Professor Jarman said: ‘I warned the Department of Health on multiple occasions about high hospital adjusted death rates; and witnesses have testified under oath there was huge government pressure, because the government hated the idea that a regulator would criticise it. ‘In fact, I was so concerned that I wrote to [Labour health secretary] Andy Burnham personally in March 2010 warning him about high death rates at five of the 11 hospitals now in special measures. ‘The Department of Health seems to have been, until recently, a denial machine regarding our death rate data. dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2509629/Decade-Labour-saw-50-000-die-hospital.html#ixzz2l51rJhW9
Posted on: Tue, 19 Nov 2013 10:14:14 +0000