Chairmans Blog: Seven days a week!

If you're admitted to hospital on a Monday, the evidence shows that you've got a better chance of a speedy recovery than if you're admitted on a Saturday... 
(http://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/evidence-base.pdf)

Why is this you may ask? 

 Well, it's because it seems that there are more errors in hospitals at a weekend leading to a higher mortality rate, and poorer service. Perhaps this is because there are less staff present, leading to more errors on a weekend? 

Whatever the reason, hospitals are starting to move towards a 7 day service. There's also the fact that operating theatres are less used on a Saturday or Sunday at present and this represents a good increase in productivity if they're used fully over a weekend. 

This will have a big impact on staff in hospitals as they will all eventually become sort of shift workers...    This is a major change for hospitals with huge challenges. 

 Community pharmacy has always been a 7 day per week profession. 

Many pharmacies are open over the weekend although overall provision is less than during the normal week-days. We've heard recently, however, that the Prime-Minister has promised a 7 day GP week by 2020...this will have a major impact on pharmacy costs as the work load will be spread over more days...Let's hope funding follows!

It's important that everyone ensures that they have a good work/life balance!

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