THE mortality rate at Scotland’s hospitals has fallen by 4.5 per cent over the past two years.
Official statistics show the drop was achieved between January to March 2014 and the same period this year.
The Scottish Government said the decrease equated to 3,000 fewer deaths than predicted during the period.
Two hospitals – Belford Hospital in Fort William and the Royal Alexandra/Vale of Leven – had significantly higher mortality than the national average in the period January to March 2016, while another two – the Western General in Edinburgh and Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow – were significantly lower.
The Scottish Patient Safety Programme was set up with the aim of reducing hospital mortality rates by 20 per cent by the end of 2015, a target that was missed by 3.5 per cent. A new target has now been set to cut death rates by a further 10 per cent by December 2018, compared to the first quarter of 2014.
Health Secretary Shona Robison said: “It is encouraging to see that our commitment to patient safety is delivering such strong results, especially at a time when our NHS is treating more people, with more complex needs, than ever before.
“Scotland was the first country in the world to implement a national patient safety programme and is the only UK country publishing and driving improvement in our NHS through the use of mortality data in this way.”
Professor Jason Leitch, clinical director for NHS Scotland, said: “Our NHS is working to deliver the safest possible hospitals we can for Scotland, and today’s figures show we are continuing in the right direction towards our new demanding target.
“However, there is always more we can do. Patient safety will always remain a top priority for NHS Scotland and we will continue to deliver safe, person-centred care to thousands of people every day.”
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