NHS IT System led to deaths BBC reports

As reported by BBC News 30/05/2024, 200,000 medical letters had not been sent owing to problems with the NHS computer systems and has been linked to the deaths of three patients and more than 100 instances of serious harm at NHS hospital trusts in England.

Coroners have reported that hospital IT systems have played a role in the deaths of some patients and that there is a “real risk of further deaths” if doctors are unable to access patient information.

116 hospital trusts in England responded to a Freedom of Information request from which:

• 89 trusts confirmed that patients could be harmed as a result of problems with the Electronic Patient Record (EPR) systems;
• Just under 50% identified potential patient harm owing to their systems 
• Just under 60 trusts said patient care could be affected by IT problems;
• Over 200,000 letters were not sent across 21 trusts;
• 31 Trusts confirmed 126 serious harm incidents were inked to IT issues; and
• 2 Trusts reported three deaths were related to the EPR problems.

Specific reported concerns about the computer systems include:

• “It makes finding critical information very difficult, or impossible”;
• “Medication errors have occurred, missed doses of antibiotics have occurred”;
• “Clinical information can be buried anywhere”; and
• “Incorrect patient details on theatre lists, incorrect operations listed, incorrect allergy status”.

It is reported that Professor Joe McDonald, a former NHS clinical leader believes there are echoes of the Horizon scandal at the Post Office and is reported as saying:

“There is undoubtedly a culture of cover-up in the NHS and nowhere is that stronger than in the health IT sector,”

Dr Adrian Boyle, the President of The Royal College of Emergency Medicine has said that:

“It’s essential that our members and their colleagues have access to reliable technology and effective systems that they can trust, and that don’t risk patient safety”

Clive Flashman, from the Patient Safety Learning organisation has said:

“If you look at the sorts of serious issues that are coming out around the country where patients are being harmed, in some cases dying, as a result of these systems not working properly, I would imagine there are tens of thousands of these that are happening that probably never get discussed.”

Professor Erika Denton, national medical director for transformation at NHS England has said:

“The NHS has invested nearly £900m over the past two years to help local organisations introduce new and improved systems, so they are no longer relying on paper records or patchwork systems – which carry far greater risks to safety, care delays, and patient privacy,However, like any system, it’s essential that they are introduced and operated to high standards, and NHS England is working closely with trusts to review any concerns raised and provide additional support and guidance on the safe use of their systems where required.”

How can Taylor Bracewell’s medical negligence team assist you?

If you believe you or a loved one has been the vicitm of medical negligence it is important that you seek legal advice as soon as possible. Call our Doncaster team on 01302 341414 or our Sheffield team on 0114 272 1884. Alternatively, you can fill out our online enquiry form.