Hospital deaths greater for weekend admissions

Figures published yesterday also revealed that death rates among NHS emergency admissions across England increased by 7 per cent at weekends in 2005-06 – the equivalent of 3,369 more than expected.

While the researchers have no concrete reasons for the additional deaths, they believe one explanation may be fewer specialist services open at weekends, including diagnostic tests.

Fewer senior hospital staff work weekends, leaving most care to junior doctors.

The research, from the Dr Foster Unit and the Department of Acute Medicine at Imperial College London, comes after a report earlier this week criticised out-of-hours care in NHS hospitals.

That said too many junior doctors are left unsupervised on wards overnight and at weekends, with the NHS being "too reliant" on trainees.

Some older consultants are reluctant to work late, preferring "standard" weeks, which affects trainees, according to that report's author, Professor Sir John Temple.

He said trainees have their chances for learning during the day reduced because they have to fill gaps in rotas – usually during unsociable hours.

Those behind that research, published in the journal Quality and Safety in Health Care, said more was needed into the higher mortality rates.

Senior author Dr Paul Aylin, from Imperial College, said:"Hospitals have been reassessing the working hours and rotas of their doctors and, considering the impact that staff availability may be having on mortality rates, this is a timely reminder to hospitals that they must take care not to jeopardise the quality and standard of patient care available at weekends when devising new staffing rotas."