Lives being put at risk, NHS report suggests

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Differences in access to key NHS services, including stroke and cancer care, are putting patients at risk, an official report suggests.

The NHS Atlas of Variation - published by NHS England and Public Health England - looks at service performance in more than 200 local areas.

It found a two-fold variation in early cancer diagnosis and quick stroke treatment between the best and worst.

The atlas also pointed to "unwarranted" differences in diabetes monitoring.

Patient groups called the findings "extremely concerning", while NHS bosses warned action must be taken by local health chiefs as the variations in care would be costing lives and harming health.

The atlas found:
◾A little more than one in three patients in the worst-performing areas are admitted to a stroke unit within four hours of arrival at hospital, compared to eight in 10 in the best.
◾Some 30% of patients in the worst-performing areas are diagnosed with cancer when the disease is at an early stage - increasing the chances of survival in the worst areas - compared to 56% in the best.
◾Only 42% of patients get the right diabetes checks in the worst-performing areas, compared to 72% in the best.
◾One in 10 diabetes patients have to undergo foot amputations in the worst-performing areas - four times the rate in the best areas.
◾More than half of patients suffering from psychosis for the first time get help from specialist early intervention teams - six times more than those in the worst areas.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-34282415