WIREDGOV

A further reduction in hospital mortality figures is a signal of high standards in Scotland’s NHS, Alex Neil said this week.

The Health Secretary was commentating as the latest hospital standardised mortality ratios showed a 14.2% reduction in hospital mortality since October to December 2007.

Mr Neil said: “This Government’s commitment to the NHS is unwavering – as demonstrated by our decision to protect funding for our health service.

“And the results are clear to see. First we are seeing substantial increases in nursing and staff numbers.

“Staffing across the NHS has increased by more than 6 per cent since 2006. This is good news for patients in itself – but it delivers real improvements elsewhere.

“We have also seen a further fall in mortality rates – a direct result of our world leading patient safety programme.

“But that programme would be nothing without our dedicated staff to deliver it. The people who work in the NHS are those who deserve the credit for the success story that is our health service.

“That is why have invested and will go on investing to ensure there are the right numbers of staff, in the right place with the right tools to do the job we all value so highly.”

Prof Jason Leitch, Clinical Director for NHS Scotland, said: “Our NHS is working to deliver the safest possible hospitals we can in Scotland.

“It is a long term programme, but today’s figures show we are continuing to reduce hospital mortality.

“That is reflection of the commitment of staff across Scotland to safety. However, there is more we can call do – as there always will be on safety. We must never stop focussing on safety as a top priority and today’s statistics should help all of the NHS to renew our focus and go on delivering, safe person centred care to thousands of people across Scotland, 365 days a year.”