‘BMJ research shows dangers of high occupancy rates, poor staffing and overcrowding’ – SAM immediate past president (23 August)

Commenting on a study published in the journal BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care which reported many older patients in the last six months of their lives are being needlessly over-investigated, Dr Tim Cooksley, immediate past president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said:

“Capacity and overcrowding in hospitals means it takes longer to individualise and personalise care.

“That can result in issues such as excess scans and other similar inefficient and unnecessary practices which impact patients experience and staff time.

“It is another example of the dangers of high occupancy rates, poor staffing and overcrowding and why it needs to be addressed urgently.”

www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-13770869/amp/elderly-patients-end-life-scans-nhs-study.html