Fall in hospital mortality

Figures published today show that between January to March 2014 and January to March 2016, hospital mortality has fallen by 4.5%, which equates to 3,000 fewer deaths than predicted during the period.

These figures are taken from the first publication of the Hospital Standardised Mortality Ratio (HSMR) figures using new methodology which looks at progress towards the new aim of a 10% reduction in hospital mortality by December 2018 compared to the quarter January to March 2014.

This builds on the achievements of the Scottish Patient Safety Programme (SPSP) – a national programme led by Healthcare Improvement Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government, which aims to improve the safety and reliability of healthcare across Scotland.

Previous figures show that hospital mortality dropped by 16.5% - or 20,000 fewer deaths than predicted – between October to December 2007, when the SPSP was set up, and October to December 2015.

Health Secretary Shona Robison said:

“It is encouraging to see that our commitment to patient safety across the health service is delivering such strong results, especially at a time when our NHS is treating more people, with more complex needs, than ever before.

“The 4.5% drop in mortality rate since the start of 2014 shows we are making progress towards our new aim of a 10% reduction by December 2018. This is on top of the improvements in mortality already achieved since the start of the Scottish Patient Safety Program in 2007.

“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.

“The vast majority of the thousands of patients who come through Scotland’s NHS every day are cared for safely and successfully by our hard working frontline staff. Across our NHS, these staff have put patient safety at the heart of everything they do. And this culture is helping the NHS to be open and honest where care falls short of what we expect, and ensure we learn the right lessons.

“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 across Scotland every day of the year.”

From an initial focus on acute hospitals, SPSP work now includes safety improvement programmes for maternity and children’s care, mental health, medicines and primary care.