Half of trauma patients in A&E receive poor care, say doctors - The Guardian 21st November 2007

More than half of all patients arriving in hospital with severe injuries receive poor care, according to an investigation led by senior doctors which also expresses concern about the care of patients before they even reach hospital. Trauma, or serious physical injury, is a leading cause of death of young people, who may end up in hospital after a road accident or fight. But the report, from the charity National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death (NCEPOD), found medical staff often did not appreciate how severely ill patients were and showed little urgency over care. They also made erroneous clinical decisions. Often the problem lay with inexperienced junior staff left to manage trauma patients admitted at night. A third of patients arriving in A&E did not see a consultant there.

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Additional Stories

'Inadequate care' in half of A&E trauma cases - The Telegraph 21st November 2007

NHS treatment of trauma victims 'must improve' - Daily Mail 21st November 2007

Half of trauma care 'not good' - BBC Health News 21st November 2007