Post by Kimmy on Dec 15, 2013 12:12:00 GMT
Hospitals in England will have to ensure senior doctors and key diagnostic tests are available seven days a week under new plans.
The measures form part of a vision unveiled by NHS England to tackle higher death rates at weekends.
The changes, proposed by medical director Prof Sir Bruce Keogh, will be applied to urgent and emergency services over the next three years.
Research suggests death rates are 16% higher for patients admitted on Sundays compared with those for patients admitted on Wednesdays - irrespective of whether admissions are emergency or elective.
Sir Bruce told BBC One's Andrew Marr show "society has moved on and people expect more and more from services at the weekend".
"It seems strange in many ways that we should start to wind down on a Friday afternoon and warm up on a Sunday... and [in the] meantime people are waiting for diagnosis and treatment."
He said that, historically, the NHS had been very good at providing a five-day-a-week service but medicine had advanced and care had become more complex.
Sir Bruce said junior doctors felt particularly stressed at weekends because of the complexity of cases, and often felt "unsupported".
Breaches could cost hospitals up to 2.5% of their annual income of up to £500m and they could face losing their right to use junior doctors.
Anybody any views.
The measures form part of a vision unveiled by NHS England to tackle higher death rates at weekends.
The changes, proposed by medical director Prof Sir Bruce Keogh, will be applied to urgent and emergency services over the next three years.
Research suggests death rates are 16% higher for patients admitted on Sundays compared with those for patients admitted on Wednesdays - irrespective of whether admissions are emergency or elective.
Sir Bruce told BBC One's Andrew Marr show "society has moved on and people expect more and more from services at the weekend".
"It seems strange in many ways that we should start to wind down on a Friday afternoon and warm up on a Sunday... and [in the] meantime people are waiting for diagnosis and treatment."
He said that, historically, the NHS had been very good at providing a five-day-a-week service but medicine had advanced and care had become more complex.
Sir Bruce said junior doctors felt particularly stressed at weekends because of the complexity of cases, and often felt "unsupported".
Breaches could cost hospitals up to 2.5% of their annual income of up to £500m and they could face losing their right to use junior doctors.
Anybody any views.