One in Ten Britons Report NHS-Related Harm

A recent study conducted by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and Oxford Population Health reveals that nearly 1 in 10 people in Great Britain reported experiencing harm due to the National Health Service (NHS) within the last three years. Specifically, 9.7% of respondents indicated that they suffered either physical or emotional harm, with 6.2% attributing this to their treatment and 3.5% to lack of access to services. The findings highlight significant disparities, with marginalized groups, including individuals with disabilities and those in lower socioeconomic brackets, facing higher rates and more severe impacts of harm. Despite the serious implications, only 17% of those reporting harm chose to file formal complaints. Experts emphasize the need for improved safety measures across the NHS, while government officials stress the importance of learning from these incidents to enhance patient care. Overall, the study underscores the critical need for addressing patient safety concerns within the healthcare system.