NHS transfers "put patients at risk"

17 Mar 2009

The Association of Anaesthetists says patients are being put at risk while being moved between hospitals.

Patients are moved between hospitals using NHS and private ambulances.

The association said the ambulances are poorly equipped and suggested that a national service should be set up for transferring patients between hospitals.

Hospital services in England are being re-organised to create centres of excellence. This will lead to more patients being moved between hospitals.

The report said that some ambulances lack power supplies for medical equipment.

The association also warned that the introduction of the European Working Time Directive could put even more patients at risk, as junior doctors’ hours will be reduced, possibly leading to key hospital staff having to transfer patients.

The association recommended the creation of a central transfer system for transferring patients. They also recommended better training and a reduction in the number of patients moved because of a lack of beds.

Dr David Goldhill of the Association of Anaesthetists said: “There is no doubt that the situation we have at the moment in most areas is entirely unsatisfactory. The patients are in a vulnerable position.”

Guy Forster, a medical negligence solicitor at Patientlawyers.com, said: "The concerns being voiced by the Association of Anaesthetists are deeply worrying, not least because it appears the situation is set to get worse. Urgent action is needed to ensure that appropriate arrangements for transferring patients are in place.”

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