Commenting on Emergency Medicine Journal's study into 'Emergency medicine admissions, deaths at weekends and the public holiday effect' Dr Mark Temple, RCP acute care fellow said:
The Royal College of Physicians is concerned about evidence of higher mortality of patients admitted as medical emergencies at weekends and has already recommended that a consultant physician dedicated to the care of acutely ill patients is available on site at least 12 hours per day, 7 days a week including bank holidays.
Although a number of factors are likely to influence the high mortality at weekends, the RCP is clear that acutely ill patients admitted on a bank holiday should have the same access to senior staff, diagnostic and support services as on a week day. Provision of acute care services on a bank holiday are particular important as any deficiencies in staffing and services will be compounded over the prolonged weekend period.
For further information, please contact Hannah Bristow, Clinical Standards communications officer, on +44 (0)20 3075 1447 / 07584 303 784 or email Hannah.Bristow@rcplondon.ac.uk