Nearly 10% of Individuals Report Harm Caused by NHS in Three Years

Recent findings from a comprehensive population survey published in the journal BMJ Quality & Safety indicate that almost 10% of individuals in Great Britain have experienced health-care-related harm from the National Health Service (NHS) within the past three years. This troubling statistic encompasses both the adverse effects of treatment and challenges related to accessing care.

According to the survey, which involved over 10,000 respondents from England, Scotland, and Wales, a substantial 9.7% reported experiencing harm associated with NHS services. Of these cases, 6.2% were attributed to care or treatment received, while 3.5% stemmed from difficulties in accessing necessary care. Hospitals were primarily identified as the source of care that led to the reported harm.

More than 80% of those who reported harm indicated that it had a moderate to severe impact on their lives. The survey highlighted that disadvantaged groups--such as individuals with disabilities, those with long-term health conditions, and people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds--were disproportionately affected. These groups not only reported higher instances of harm but also experienced more severe consequences.

The survey methodology included a specially designed questionnaire aimed at assessing a variety of adverse events related to NHS care. This encompassed not only physical and medical repercussions but also psychological harm and issues arising from inadequate access to care.

Conducted by Ipsos, the survey employed quota sampling to ensure that the participant demographics accurately reflected the broader population of Great Britain. Data collection took place between November 2021 and May 2022, providing a comprehensive snapshot of patient experiences during this period.

Among the respondents who reported harm, nearly 44.8% described their experiences as having a severe impact, while 37.6% noted a moderate impact. The findings revealed that women were more likely to report incidents of harm, whereas individuals aged over 65 reported lower rates.

A significant number of those affected sought support, with approximately two-thirds discussing their experiences with friends and family. Nearly 60% sought professional advice, with a third reaching out to their general practitioner (GP) and another third contacting the health provider responsible for the harm. Additionally, 11.6% utilized the services of the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS), which aims to provide an alternative to formal grievance processes.

However, only 17% of those affected pursued formal complaints with the NHS, and a mere 2.1% filed legal claims for compensation. Interestingly, 21.6% expressed a reluctance to seek financial compensation, which the authors suggest may indicate a sense of loyalty toward the NHS.

Instead of monetary compensation, many patients expressed a desire for restorative care to address their physical or psychological needs (44.4%), an explanation of the events that led to their harm (34.8%), and access to previously denied treatment (29.7%).

Despite the formal complaint process, two-thirds of participants felt that their complaints were poorly managed, and only about half were satisfied with their interactions with PALS. This raises concerns that insufficient acknowledgment and support for those harmed could lead to increased legal actions.

The authors of the study acknowledged several limitations, including the timing of the survey during the COVID-19 pandemic, which may have influenced the rate of reported harm. Despite these challenges, the authors concluded that the survey revealed higher rates of NHS-related harm than in previous studies, with implications that could affect patients, families, health services, and the economy.

Notably, this study is among the first to assess the repercussions of inadequate access to care, highlighting that individuals suffering harm from these situations also require specific support. The findings point to significant disparities in the rates and impacts of harm, particularly affecting socially disadvantaged groups who may struggle to advocate for themselves following adverse experiences.