Medway achieves significant reduction in patient mortality rate

Date: 18 November 2016

reduction patient mortality

Medway Maritime Hospital has achieved a significant reduction in its patient mortality rate – meaning more patients are now surviving than they did before. 

The Hospital Standardised Mortality Ratio (HSMR) for Medway NHS Foundation Trust has reduced considerably to 100.19 and is almost line with the national average of 100.  The high mortality rate was one of the primary reasons why Medway Maritime Hospital was placed into special measures back in 2013.

In what is a significant development ahead of the forthcoming CQC inspection, the Executive Team have welcomed the reduction in the patient mortality rate. Diana Hamilton-Fairley, Medical Director at Medway Maritime Hospital, said: "We are extremely pleased to have achieved a significant and sustained reduction in our mortality rate, which is now nearly in line with the national average and comparable to NHS trusts similar to us. 

“It’s no secret that our high mortality rate was one of the overriding reasons we were placed into special measures back in 2013. Since then, we have put in place a wide range of changes to make sure our patients receive safe and compassionate treatment, with a better safety culture throughout the hospital, as well as a strong focus on recognising and responding quickly to patients whose conditions deteriorates.

“As part of this concerted effort, we’ve embarked on a major education programme with our staff in the use of the National Early Warning Score– a clinical set of criteria that plays a vital role in determining the severity of a patient’s illness, and when critical care is required.  The Trust has also introduced a number of new and innovative pathways for emergency admissions, frail elderly patients and those with chronic respiratory and cardiac conditions.

“Mortality is only one measure of our improvement however; we have also seen other positive outcomes, with more patients recommending us to their friends and family. “As a Trust, we will all continue to work extremely hard to embed these improvements and many more are currently being developed. We’re very hopeful that all of these improvements will stand us in good stead for the forthcoming CQC inspection.”

The Care Quality Commission is due to carry out a full inspection on Tuesday, 29 November and Wednesday, 30 November.

  • Summary:

    Medway Maritime Hospital has achieved a significant reduction in its patient mortality rate – meaning more patients are now surviving than they did before.