Hospital death rates improving, says report

The number of NHS hospitals with higher-than-expected death rates has fallen this year, according to a new study.

Analysis from Dr Foster, based on data collected by the Department of Health and the Office for National Statistics, revealed that 19 NHS Trusts across the country currently have death rates that are higher than they should be.

The figure was described by the NHS Federation as proof that hospitals "can do better", but is actually an improvement on last year, when the number was 27.

Now in its tenth year, the annual hospital guide from Dr Foster is an influential publication within the healthcare industry.

It attempts to provide a picture of patient care by looking at overall death rates and fatality rates after surgery, as well as other factors such as the reporting of errors.

"There will always be variations in any nationwide system, but the golden principle must be that our NHS is safe for the patients who rely on it," said Nigel Edwards, acting chief executive of the NHS Federation.