NHS prescription errors ‘double over 2 years’

The number of mistakes made by NHS professionals when prescribing drugs to patients has soared over the space of two years, it has been discovered.

According to statistics from the National Patient Safety Agency, errors in the issuing of drugs resulted in the deaths of 37 patients and the severe harm of a further 63 in 2007.

Furthermore, 200 patients a month are in need of more medication because mistakes are made with their required treatments, the figures show.

Liberal Democrat spokesman Norman Lamb, said: “In an organisation the size of the NHS there are always going be some accidents, but we have to ensure that robust systems are in place that minimise risks and prioritise patient safety.”

In other NHS news this week, the organisation iterated that it will not follow the advice of a report compiled by McKinsey and Company, which proposed the cutting of 137,000 employees in the health service.