Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

42 NHS trusts accused of not revealing figures on hospital-acquired Covid infections, deaths

42 NHS trusts accused of not revealing figures on hospital-acquired Covid infections, deaths

SOME hospital trusts in Bedford, Luton, Leeds, and northwest London have been criticised for not providing data about how many patients died of Covid-19 after contracting the virus while in hospital.

Bedford hospital NHS trust, Leeds teaching hospitals NHS trust, London north-west university healthcare NHS trust, and Luton and Dunstable University hospital NHS foundation trust were among 26 trusts that did not reveal information about how many patients became infected with the coronavirus.


Covid-19 has claimed nearly 128,000 lives in Britain, the fifth-highest official death toll in the world.

The Patients Association, doctors’ groups, and campaign group Transparency International criticised about 42 NHS trusts in the country for not complying fully with freedom of information requests relating to queries about how many patients died after catching Covid on their wards.

“Hospitals are displaying ‘unwarranted secrecy’,” the Patients Association was quoted as saying in the Guardian. “We expect openness and transparency from the NHS, particularly about such important matters as patient deaths arising from hospital-acquired infections.”

Campaign group Transparency International UK said the 42 trusts displayed “an overly casual approach to the law”.

“Whether it’s about Covid contracts or the contraction of Covid in hospitals, learning from our recent experience requires public bodies to recognise its right to know, not their right to conceal,” a spokesperson of Transparency International UK said.

Information from 81 of the 126 trusts from which figures were sought showed that up to 8,700 patients lost their lives after probably or definitely becoming infected during the pandemic while in hospital for surgery or other treatment, The Guardian reported.

Out of 42 NHS trusts, 26 reportedly did not provide any figures at all to the freedom of information request, despite their legal obligation to do so and the rest 16 replied but did not give exact figures on how many patients died after contracting Covid in hospital. Many claimed that they did not have figures for nosocomial (originating in a hospital) deaths while some claimed that it would take too long and cost too much to supply the figures.

The revelation comes as prime minister Boris Johnson's former top adviser and Brexit architect Dominic Cummings told MPs on Wednesday (26) that the government failed the public by not having adequate planning in place for the coronavirus pandemic.

"The truth is that senior ministers, senior officials, senior advisers like me fell disastrously short of the standards that the public has a right to expect of its government in a crisis like this," Cummings told a parliamentary committee.

More For You

Sri Lanka forms committee to address UK sanctions
Anura Kumara Dissanayake

Sri Lanka forms committee to address UK sanctions

THE Sri Lanka government on Wednesday (2) formed a committee to recommend measures regarding the UK's decision to impose sanctions on three former military commanders who led the campaign that crushed the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in 2009.

Health minister Nalinda Jayatissa told reporters that foreign minister Vijitha Herath, justice minister Harshana Nanayakkara and deputy minister of defence Aruna Jayasekara would comprise the committee that would consult experts for the purpose.

Keep ReadingShow less
Gujarat-blast-ANI

The blast caused the factory’s concrete roof to collapse, scattering debris and body parts across the area, officials confirmed. (Photo: ANI)

ANI

Death toll rises to 21 in Gujarat firework factory explosion

AN EXPLOSION at an illegal firecracker factory in Gujarat's Deesa town killed 21 people and injured several others on Tuesday, officials said.

The blast caused the factory’s concrete roof to collapse, scattering debris and body parts across the area, officials confirmed.

Keep ReadingShow less
Child benefit payments set to rise for UK families

Child benefit, normally paid every four weeks directly into bank accounts, has undergone significant changes in recent months (Photo: Getty Images)

Child benefit payments set to rise for UK families

MILLIONS of British families are set to receive a financial boost as child benefit payments increase from April 7, according to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

From next week, parents will receive £26.05 per week for the eldest or only child, amounting to £1,354.60 annually - up from the current rate of £25.60. For each additional child, payments will rise to £17.25 weekly, totalling £897 per year - an increase from the present £16.95 rate. This represents a 1.7 per cent increase across all payment categories.

Keep ReadingShow less
Anant Ambani Walks 140 Km in Spiritual Tribute on 30th Birthday

Anant’s padyatra is a reflection of the larger cultural fabric of India

Getty

Anant Ambani embarks on a 140-kilometer spiritual journey on foot to celebrate 30th birthday

Anant Ambani, a director of Reliance Industries Limited and a prominent figure in Indian industry, has chosen a unique and spiritual way to mark his 30th birthday. As part of his celebrations, he is currently undertaking a padyatra—a traditional pilgrimage on foot—from Jamnagar to Dwarka, covering a distance of approximately 140 kilometres. The journey reflects his devotion to Lord Dwarkadhish, the presiding deity of the Dwarkadhish Temple in the city of Dwarka.

Anant began his journey from his family’s residence in Moti Khavdi, Jamnagar, and has been progressing steadily for the past five days. Walking an estimated 10-12 kilometres each night, he travels under the protection of Z+ security and local police, ensuring his safety during this significant journey. The padyatra is expected to take between seven to nine days in total, with plans to conclude at the Dwarkadhish Temple in time for his birthday on April 10.

Keep ReadingShow less
New TB action plan proposed as cases surge

Government urged experts to come forward to help draw up a new five-year TB action plan. (Photo: Getty Images)

New TB action plan proposed as cases surge

BRITAIN on Wednesday (2) urged health experts and sufferers of tuberculosis (TB) to come forward to help draw up a new five-year action plan as it deals with record rises in the disease.

In 2023, England recorded its largest annual increase (11 per cent) in cases since enhanced surveillance began in 2000.

Keep ReadingShow less