Rise in deaths ‘coincides with new doctor recruitment’

The first week of junior doctor intakes in the UK sees a six per cent rise in the likelihood of patients dying, it has been discovered.

According to research conducted jointly by the Dr Foster unit and the department of acute medicine at Imperial College London, the first week in August, which is traditionally when new doctors are inducted into UK hospitals, brings with it an increase in patient deaths.

However, the researchers added that this is not necessarily due to a lack of experience, but may be down to the most severe cases being admitted purposefully during the week in question.

Paul Aylin, one of the report’s lead authors, said: “Our study does not mean that people should avoid going into hospital that week. This is a relatively small difference in mortality rates and the numbers of excess deaths are very low.”

This news comes after the Department of Health revealed this week that waiting times for people with hearing difficulties to receive digital hearing aids have fallen to an all-time low.